Posh were held to a 0-0 draw by Oxford United, but moved into the play-off positions at the expense of Derby County.

Peterborough United were held to a 0-0 draw by Oxford United at the Weston Homes Stadium on an afternoon where clearcut opportunities were at a premium with Oliver Norburn’s first half volley the closest Darren Ferguson’s men got to the breakthrough.

Oliver Norburn swept an early effort over the crossbar after a quickly-taken free-kick from Harrison Burrows as Posh tried to make a fast start against Liam Manning’s men. Simon Eastwood made a routine stop moments later to deny Jonson Clarke-Harris after good work from Ephron Mason-Clark down the left.

Joe Ward tested Eastwood with a skidding effort from long-range on 18 minutes after finding a pocket of space centrally. On 22 minutes, Posh were a whisker away from the breakthrough and what a goal it would have been, Norburn catching a volley so sweetly 25-yards from goal, but it went literally a whisker wide of the post.

Will Norris produced a fine stop with his legs to keep out a Wildschut effort on the half hour mark as Oxford caught Posh on the counter-attack. Ward saw a cross-shot beaten away by Eastwood before Jack Taylor had a shot from distance blocked.

Ogbeta saw a shot from 25-yards blocked by Findlay on 54 minutes as Posh tried to push for the opening goal. Ferguson made a change on the hour mark with Kwame Poku introduced for Burrows. Oxford boss Liam Manning made his first switch on 65 minutes with Oisin Smyth brought into the action.

Dan Butler replaced Thompson with 20 minutes to play as Posh tried to find the right combination to unpick the lock. Clarke-Harris sent an over-head kick wide of the target on 75 minutes after a header up into the air by Moore. Poku then lashed a 30-yard drive wide of the target after a poor defensive clearance from Findlay.

Joseph was cautioned for a blatant tug back on Ogbeta moments later by the touch-line. The visitors had the ball in the back of the net on 81 minutes, but Joseph’s effort was ruled out for offside.

Posh: Norris, Ward (sub Tshimanga 78min), Kent, Edwards, N. Thompson (sub Butler 70min), Ogbeta, Taylor, Norburn, Burrows (sub Poku 60min), Mason-Clark, Clarke-Harris. Unused subs: Blackmore, Knight,  Kyprianou, Jones.

Oxford United: Eastwood, Findlay, Moore, Brannigan, Browne (sub O’Donkor 82min), Brown, McGuane, Joseph (sub Fleming 90min), Murphy (sub Smyth 65min), Long, Wildschut. Unused subs: McGinty, Smith, Goodrhum, Negru.

Half-time: Peterborough United 0-0 Oxford United
Full-time: Peterborough United 0-0 Oxford United
Attendance: 11,199 (847 Oxford United fans)
Referee: T. Kirk