A youthful Posh side were beaten 1-0 by a lively Bedford side.
A Peterborough United XI, predominantly made up of under 18s, were beaten 1-0 by Bedford Town in the latest pre-season friendly on a balmy summers night.Joe Gormley continued his comeback from a long term injury with an hour's action while Matthew Stevens also got his first 60 minutes of football during this pre-season campaign.
Transfer listed Jack Payne and striker Aaron Williams were also involved and there were plenty of chances for both sides with Gormley and substitute Cameron Stump striking the woodwork for Posh.
The under 18s, who beat Lincoln City 8-2 in their only friendly to date against their own age group, performed well in the sweltering conditions, but credit to the hosts, who caused plenty of problems.
Posh made a bright start, winning several early corner kicks, but it was the hosts who had the first effort towards goal, Williams sending a header wide of the target.
Joe Gormley clipped the top of the crossbar with a hooked volley after a deep Payne corner was misjudged by goalkeeper Harpur.
After a short drinks break midway through the first period, with temperatures close to 30 degrees, the opening half resumed with Posh still dominating possession.
Brito wasted a glorious chance to break the deadlock on 33 minutes, but he fired over the bar from close-range. Bamford then sliced wide from 10-yards as Town missed another decent opportunity in front of goal.
Penfold fired wide of the near post after a good run and threaded through ball by Harry Anderson as the first half drew to a close.
Alfie Connor was denied by Harpur five minutes into the second half after meeting a driven corner with a powerful header before Posh made their first change with Glenn Ferrier replacing Anderson.
The deadlock was broken on 68 minutes and it came from a set-piece as one of the many substitutes used by the hosts fired a crisp free-kick into the corner past the despairing dive of young goalkeeper Henry.
Posh made a triple change moments later with Gormley, Stevens and Maddison replaced by Baldry, Gow and Stump. The latter of those three clipped the bar with a fine effort after twisting and turning in the box as Posh pressed for a deserved leveller.
Watson rattled the bar from a tight angle at the other end as Posh gambled by throwing men forward in search of an equaliser.
Gow was denied by Harper after letting fly from 25-yards while Williams also went close. Williams was denied at the death by a superb stop from Harpur after the ex-Nuneaten man let fly with a fierce drive from just inside the box.
Bedford: Harpur, Roberts, Hawkes, J Peters, O. Peters, Irish, Brito, Williams, Bamford, Boland, Morgillo. Subs used: Watson, Knight, Draycott, Sawyer.
Posh: Henry, H. Anderson (sub Ferrier 57min), Connor, Cartwright, Piesse, Penfold, Payne (sub Alban-Jones 79min), L. Maddison (sub Baldry 60min), Williams, Gormley (sub Gow 60min), Stevens (sub Stump 60min).
Half-time: Bedford Town 0-0 Peterborough United
Full-time: Bedford Town 1-0 Peterborough United