Notts County put in a stubborn defensive display to earn a 0-0 draw at London Road.

Peterborough United were held to a 0-0 draw by Notts County at London Road with the Magpies digging in for a point as Darren Ferguson's men struggled to break down the stubborn resistance of the visitors.

The lively Marcus Maddison registered the first effort towards goal on nine minutes, his left-foot shot finding the side-netting after he had evaded his marker.

Maddison was cautioned for diving on the quarter hour mark by referee Mr Harrington as he took a tumble in the box under the challenge of Cranston.

Zeli Ismeil fired wide from 30-yards after tricking his way past a few defenders as the Magpies made their first foray into the Posh half.

Midfielder Liam Noble fired wide from 25-yards on 27 minutes, but the effort was ambitious and was never really troubling goalkeeper Ben Alnwick.

Cassidy side-footed wide when well placed just after the half hour mark and then drilled a low shot straight at the Posh shot-stopper as the Magpies began to cause one or two problems.

Posh created their best opening on 43 minutes as a free-kick from Taylor was met by defender Baldwin, but he headed straight at Carroll who made a good routine stop. Maddison then nutmegged his defender, but saw his shot blocked.

Five minutes after the re-start, Maddison went on a superb run and forced Carroll into a fine stop, the veteran keeper pushing the low effort around the post.

Noble was a whisker away from breaking the deadlock on 57 minutes, his curler going just past the upright after good work from Ismail. Vassell was then denied by a fine last ditch tackle by Hollis, although in truth he should have pulled the trigger earlier.

Posh made a switch on 65 minutes with Joe Newell replacing Santos. Washington was replaced by Luke James on 71 minutes. James should have scored with his first touch after being fed by Maddison, but he was leaning back and skied his effort over the bar.

Posh: Alnwick, Smith, Baldwin, Taylor, Payne, Vassell, Washington (sub James 71min), Anderson (sub Ferdinand 84min), Burgess, Santos (sub Newell 66min), Maddison. Unused subs: Grant, McCann, Brisley, Ferdinand, McEvoy.

Notts County: Carroll, Smith, Hollis, Ismail, Cassidy, Jones, Thompson, Noble (sub Murray 77min), Brown, Cranston, Laing. Unused subs: Speiss, Wroe, McKenzie, Keane, Triaore, Harrad.

HT: Posh 0-0 Notts County
Att: 6,567 (607)