Rushden & Diamonds 0 Peterborough United 1

Last updated : 06 March 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Peterborough gained three valuable points in their fight against relegation with a deserved 1-0 victory over Rushden in a rather disappointing match at Nene Park.

Peterborough started the better of the two sides and they could have easily gone ahead in the first minute when Calum Willock found himself free but his shot was rather disappointing when it flashed across the goal.

Peterborough went ahead on 22 minutes when Clive Platt flicked on Andy Legg’s throw in and, after a misunderstanding between Rushden keeper Jamie Ashdown and Leo Roget, allowed Willock to score from close range.

Rushden retaliated in the 31st minute when a Stuart Gray free-kick was tipped over the bar by Mark Tyler.

Peterborough almost increased their lead when Tommy Williams hit the post after being put through by Platt.

At the stroke of half-time Tyler was again in the thick of the action when he tipped over a fierce free-kick from Onandi Lowe.

Rushden struggled to put their game together and when any chances were created they were easily snuffed out by the resolute Peterborough defence.

Indeed it was the visitors who looked more like scoring and they nearly went further ahead in the 66th minute when after a fine ball from Sagi Burton found David Farrell but the winger was denied by a brilliant point blank save by Ashdown.

On 77 minutes a corner by Legg caused confusion in the Rushden defence but substitute Andy Clarke missed the target from three yards out.

Rushden were unable to put the Peterborough defence under any pressure and they failed to score for the second game running.

Barry Fry must have been very happy with his side’s victory and it was the first time they had won back to back games since April 2002.