Ephron Mason-Clark’s effort was the difference between the two sides at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.

Peterborough United made it three wins from three against Cambridge United this season, backing up the Bristol Street Motors Trophy success and the emphatic 5-0 league clash at the Weston Homes Stadium with a narrow 1-0 victory at the Cledara Abbey Stadium – their first league win on the other side of Cambridgeshire since 1988.

In a competitive first half, Posh still played the better football without finding the breakthrough with the first opportunity falling to Kwame Poku on the edge of the box, but his low effort was routine for the goalkeeper.

On 16 minutes, Lankester was fortunate not to get a red card for a high challenge on Jadel Katongo – referee Charles Breakspear awarding a yellow card. Jed Steer denied the same Cambridge player on 24 minutes following a fancy flick before Malik Mothersille squandered a half chance, his first touch letting him down before firing wide.

Moments later, Posh hit the crossbar as Archie Collins’ effort clipped the top of the woodwork before Poku sliced wide after good work down the left by Mothersille. Steer did well at the other end to push a Lankester shot around the post before the hosts saw a goal ruled out for offside.

The deadlock was broken in fortunate circumstances on 54 minutes as MASON-CLARK’S cross went all the way past Stevens and into the back of the net. Morrison went into the book for a bad challenge on Jeando Fuchs and his central defensive partner Ryan Bennett also went into the book.

Posh hit the bar for a second time in the contest on 73 minutes as substitute Kyprianou fired against the woodwork before Randall’s deflected shot went over the top. Danny Andrew fired wide from the edge of the box, while Mason-Clark did the same before Poku’s acrobatic effort was beaten away by Stevens.

Six minutes of added time was indicated by the fourth official, but Posh defended well during that period with only a booking for time wasting for Katongo of note. 

Cambridge United: Stevens, Andrew, Morrison, Bennett (sub Okedina 86min), Brophy (sub Njoku 86min), Thomas, Lankester, Kaikai, Kachunga (sub Bonne 76min), Cousins (sub May 79min), Gibbons (sub L. Bennett 63min). Unused subs: Mannion, Digby.

Posh: Steer, Burrows, Katongo, Knight, Edwards, Fuchs (sub Kyprianou 60min), Collins, Randall, Mason-Clark (sub Clarke-Harris 86min), Poku, Mothersille (sub Jones 60min). Unused subs: Bilokapic, Crichlow, De Havilland,  Olakigbe.

Half-time: Cambridge United 0-0 Peterborough United
Full-time: Cambridge United 0-1 Peterborough United
Referee: Charles Breakspear
Attendance: 7,710 (1,474 Posh fans)