Peterborough United put in a superb display against league leaders Newcastle United at London Road, taking the lead and then forcing a tense finish following an entertaining encounter in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Posh made a lively start at London Road and registered the first effort on goal two minutes in, but Dominic Green's effort was saved at the second attempt by Steve Harper. Newcastle won the first corner kick of the afternoon on 11 minutes after a clearance from Gabriel Zakuani, but the set-piece came to nothing.

A minute later and Posh were in front and it was a stunning strike from Dominic GREEN who took advantage of a terrible mix-up at the back as Coloccini and goalkeeper Harper left it to each other, Harper then fluffed his clearance and Green amazingly lofted the ball over the shot-stopper and Williamson and into the back of the net with his weaker right foot. It was his second goal in Posh colours, the other coming at Milton Keynes Dons last term.

Newcastle were all at sea at the back and Posh could have been 2-0 up moments later as Rowe flicked the ball into the path of Torres, Harper did well to narrow the angle and the midfielder lobbed the ball wide of the target.

Captain Joe Lewis made a good save diving to his left to deny Kevin Nolan on 21 minutes as the visitors began to enjoy their first spell of sustained pressure. A bobbling effort from Torres went wide of the target on 31 minutes and Posh can be very pleased with their performance in the first half an hour of this contest.

Lewis produced a stunning save to deny Nolan on 38 minutes, the former Bolton Wanderers man powering a header towards the corner only for the goalkeeper to extend himself to full reach to push the effort away from danger.

Enrique produced a superb tackle to deny Frecklington a second on 43 minutes after a clever reverse pass from Tommy Rowe. A huge throw from Exodus Geohaghon was flicked towards goal by Charlie Lee, but Harper was well positioned to tip the header over.

In first half stoppage time,  the visitors drew themselves level as an Enrique cross was bundled home from close-range by NOLAN and the goal came at a terrible time for the hosts, right on the stroke of the interval.

Half-time: Posh 1-1 Newcastle United

Posh made two changes at the break with Craig Mackail-Smith and Josh Simpson replacing Green and Torres, while Newcastle introduced Wayne Routledge from the substitutes bench.

Zakuani was cautioned for a foul on Ameobi just after the break, presenting Newcastle with a good opportunity from a set-piece, 25-yards from goal. Joey BARTON stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and into the back of the net to give the Toon Army plenty to celebrate behind the goal.

Posh had a different threat with the attack of Mackail-Smith and although the visitors were looking far more threatening, the game was still in the balance with Jim Gannon's men causing plenty of problems.

A snap shot from Rowe went over the top on 58 minutes as Posh introduced their final substitution with Ryan Bennett making his return from injury. Newcastle should have made it 3-1 less than 60 seconds later as Leon Best beat the offside trap, but dragged his shot wide of the target.

On the hour mark, Newcastle made it 3-1 as AMEOBI let fly from 25-yards and the strike took a difficult bounce, which beat goalkeeper Joe Lewis. Best was denied by the goalkeeper on 63 minutes after turning sharply inside the penalty area as the visitors pressed for a fourth goal.

Best was denied again by Lewis after a mistake by Geohaghon as Posh struggled to get out of their own half. A shot from Frecklington deflected wide for a corner kick on 75 minutes. Ryan Bennett met the corner and glanced it goal-wards, only for Nolan to clear

Posh reduced the arrears on 76 minutes as a long throw from Geohaghon was flicked on by Nolan to DICKINSON at the back post, he connected with the ball just enough to force the ball past Harper.

The goal gave Posh renewed confidence and Frecklington was inches away from levelling the scores, but his header cleared the upright after a delightful cross from the excellent Dickinson. Former England international Nicky Butt replaced Ameobi with five minutes remaining.

A Rowe free-kick struck the wall on 86 minutes after Frecklington had been upended on the edge of the box and Posh were finishing strongly. Dickinson headed the resulting set-piece over the crossbar.

Final Score: Posh 2-3 Newcastle United

Posh: Lewis, Gilbert, Zakuani, Lee (sub Bennett 55min), Dickinson, Frecklington, Rowe, Torres (sub Mackail-Smith 46min), Green (sub Simpson 46min), Griffiths, Geohaghon. Unused subs: McKeown, Day, Mills, Reid.

Newcastle United: Harper, Coloccini, Enrique, Nolan, Williamson, Barton (sub Guitierrez 87min), Simpson, Smith, Best, Pancrate (sub Routledge 46min), Ameobi (sub Butt 84min). Unused subs: Lovenkrands, Taylor, Krul, Kadar.

Attendance: 12,877 (4,107 Newcastle fans)