Goals from Ephron Mason-Clark and Nathanael Ogbeta earned Posh an important 2-0 victory over Derby County.
Peterborough United made it three wins from three to move within one point of the play-off positions after a 2-0 victory over Derby County at the Weston Homes Stadium thanks to second half goals from Ephron Mason-Clark and Nathanael Ogbeta.
The visitors made a bright start in the March sunshine, popping the ball about nicely, but it took until the quarter hour mark for the first effort on goal as Craig Forsyth stabbed a corner straight at goalkeeper Will Norris. Max Bird then fired over from long-range moments later after slick football in and around the edge of the Posh penalty area.
Norris produced a fine stop with his legs to keep out Conor Hourihane on 23 minutes after good work from David McGoldrick as Derby continued to be the side to threaten in the blustery conditions.
There were two minutes added at the end of the first half, which was enjoyed in terms of possession from the Rams, but clear-cut opportunities were too far and few between. Darren Ferguson made a double change at the break with Dan Butler and Kwame Poku introduced for Josh Knight and Harrison Burrows.
Jack Taylor fired wide three minutes after the re-start after collecting a return pass from Ephron Mason-Clark after the midfield man had burst forward from deep. Harvey White was denied by Norris at the other end, the goalkeeper doing well to repel a fierce drive from the midfielder.
The deadlock was broken on 52 minutes and it was a superb strike from Ephron MASON-CLARK who collected a pass from Jack Taylor and drilled past goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith at the near post. Kent was cautioned for a late foul on 54 minutes by referee Carl Brook.
Wildsmith was called upon moments later to tip over a fierce effort from distance from on-loan Swansea City defender Nathanael Ogbeta as Posh, backed by the noisy home contingent went forward. Wildsmith did well again moments later to deflect a Jonson Clarke-Harris effort around the post after a scuffed cross-shot from Poku.
Dobbin curled an effort over the top on 63 minutes after a wonderful turn on the halfway line to beat Nathan Thompson. Posh came close to a second on 72 minutes as Jack Taylor’s curling effort smacked against the crossbar before being hacked to safety.
Derby had appeals for a spot-kick turned down at the other end as White went down in the box, but nothing was given. A bit of pushing and shoving ensued afterwards with the referee issuing Taylor and White a caution. The Rams had a great chance on 79 minutes as White stood the ball up for Barkhuizen, but the substitute somehow headed over from close-range.
Posh made it 2-0 on 82 minutes and it was a first goal in Posh colours for Nathanael OGBETA as the on-loan Swansea man was in the right place at the right time to tap home after keeper Wildsmith had parried Poku’s shot.
Ben Thompson was cautioned for time wasting as the game entered the final five minutes of stoppage time. Jones had a good chance to make it 3-0 after rounding the keeper following an Ogbeta pass, but he side-footed wide of the near post.
Posh: Norris, Knight (sub Butler 46min), Kent, Taylor, Clarke-Harris, Mason-Clark (sub Jones 84min), N. Thompson, Ogbeta, Burrows (sub Poku 46min), Norburn, Ward (sub B. Thompson 84min). Unused subs: Blackmore, Kyprianou, Blackmore, Tshimanga.
Derby County: Wildsmith, Forsyth, Hourihane (sub Collins 72min), Cashin, Bird (sub Sibley 76min), McGoldrick, Mendez-Laing (sub Barkhuizen 65min), Smith, Roberts, Dobbin, White. Unused subs: Springett, McGee, Davies, Rooney.
Half-time: Peterborough United 0-0 Derby County.
Full-time: Peterborough United 2-0 Derby County
Attendance: 12,060 (3,719 Derby County fans)
Referee: Carl Brook