Posh move out of the relegation zone after a derby day success over Northampton Town at the Weston Homes Stadium.
Harry Leonard scored twice as Peterborough United secured the derby day bragging rights with a 2-1 victory over Northampton Town at the Weston Homes Stadium and in truth, the score-line should have been far greater with Luke Williams side registering 31 attempts on goal.
Posh had 70% possession and dominated for the first hour, but a defensive error let the Cobblers back into the game and the last 30 minutes were more of a challenge than expected, given the visitors were reduced to 10-men after nine minutes.
JJ Morgan and Archie Collins both had efforts blocked before the dismissal with Nesta Guinness-Walker firing wide from an early set-piece from the visitors.
The red-card arrived on nine minutes with Perkins dismissed for a high challenge on Peter Kioso by the touch-line. Kyrell Lisbie headed wide on 13 minutes before Fitzsimons produced a fine stop to keep out a Collins volley before Matt Garbett saw an effort deflected over the bar.
Harley Mills, Ben Woods and Leonard all went close to the breakthrough with Fitzsimons also denying the Posh front man and Lisbie at the back post. On the stroke of half-time, Posh got the opener as LEONARD fired low into the corner after a fine pass from Collins,.
Posh doubled the lead two minutes after the interval and it was LEONARD again in the right place at the right time to fire home the rebound after the keeper saved Lisbie's initial effort.
Alex Bass parried a shot over the bar on 52 minutes and was then in the right place at the right time to deny two close-range Cobblers efforts. On 58 minutes, Posh had a huge chance to make it 3-0 as Morgan found space in the box with a clever turn, but dragged his shot wide.
Lisbie and Morgan had further efforts before out of nowhere, the Cobblers reduced the arrears through substitute Tom EAVES, taking advantage of a defensive lapse.
On 69 minutes, Collins cleared an effort off the line before Lisbie and O'Brien-Brady both went close. Four minutes of added time was not as a nervy as Posh saw out the victory.
Posh: Bass, Collins, Lees, Woods (sub O’Brien-Brady 68min), Lisbie, Mills, Morgan, Okagbue, Leonard, Garbett, Kioso (sub Dornelly 64min). Unused subs: Reyes, Khela, Odoh, Frith, Lindgren.
Northampton: Fitzsimons, McCarthy, Campbell (sub Burroughs 55min), Hoskins (sub Fornah 56min), McGeehan, Guinness-Walker, Wheatley (sub Eaves 56min), Perkins, Taylor, Dyche (sub Guthrie 66min) List (sub Swyer 65min). Unused subs: Burge, Forbes.
Half-time: Peterborough United 1-0 Northampton Town
Full-time: Peterborough United 2-1 Northampton Town
Attendance: 9,260 (1,626 Northampton fans)
Referee: John Busby