Peterborough United ended their pre-season friendly campaign in disappointing fashion as they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Rushden & Diamonds at Nene Park on Saturday.

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The Nationwide Conference side caused problems from the first whistle to the last against Keith Alexander's men and the margin of defeat would have been bigger if it wasn't for a combination of good goalkeeping by Mark Tyler and poor finishing.

After a slow start where both sides took time to settle, it was the hosts who seized the initiative in the game and Tyler goal was becoming increasingly busier. New Diamonds striker Michael Rankine wasted an early opportunity, dragging his shot wide before Dan Chillingworth shot wide after hesitancy at the back for Posh.

On 13 minutes a cross-shot from Rankin was tipped over by Tyler before Tom Shaw's volley was well-held by the shot-stopper. On 18 minutes, Simon Yeo had a great chance to break the deadlock, but he steered his shot wide from close-range after Trevor Benjamin had headed Jamie Day's centre back across goal.

Wayne Hatswell saw an effort saved before Chillingworth forced a fine save out of Tyler with the goalkeeper pushing the effort around the post. Hatswell's goal-bound volley was then deflected over the bar by team-mate Leo Fortune-West as the pressure grew.

Yeo found the side-netting on the counter-attack for Posh and Richard Butcher had a shot blocked, but moments later, Paul Hart's side were in front. The move started down the left-hand side as full-back Paul Watson was allowed to advance and deliver a teasing centre into the box which was met by Fortune-West who rose above Guy Branston to power a header past Tyler.

The Posh management would have delivered a stern half-time team-talk, but it failed to have the desired effect as the second half started with the Diamonds on the attack. Rankine fired wide and then headed over before making it 2-0, beating the offside trap to fire past Tyler. There was a strong hint of offside, but the striker still took the goal well.

Adam Newton immediately struck the top of the crossbar with a deep cross-cum-shot before Yeo's neat volley was saved. Danny Crow replaced Benjamin in attack and poked a shot wide after racing onto a long through ball.

On 81 minutes, Butcher stabbed over from a Day corner before Diamonds substitute Andrew Rigby struck the bar with a fierce drive from 20-yards. Simeon Jackson made it 3-0 on 88 minutes as he had all the time in the world to steer a shot past Tyler after more poor defensive work from Posh.

Branston then limped off with a knock as the problems mounted for Alexander's men. Mark Arber did head a Jude Stirling long-throw inches past the post in stoppage time, but in truth, Posh didn't really merit a consolation goal.

It was a very poor showing from United, the passing was disappointing and defensively, the side looked extremely shaky. There was plenty of space in wide areas and they were exploited by a slick Diamonds side who will be among the favourites for promotion back to League Two this season.

With just seven days to go until the start of the league season, there is still plenty of work to do in training and at least this defeat didn't cost Peterborough United any points.

Posh: Tyler, Holden, Newton, Day, Plummer, Arber, Branston (sub Stirling 87min), Butcher, Opara, Yeo (sub Richards 66min), Benjamin (sub Crow 60min).