Peterborough United 1-0 Cambridge United

Peterborough take the lead as the ball flies into the net off Cambridge's Lloyd Jones

A calamitous first-half own goal cost Cambridge dear as Peterborough claimed a narrow 1-0 League One derby success on Saturday afternoon.

The first league clash between the fierce rivals for 21 years was settled by a first-half howler as Harrison Burrows' 17th minute corner flew into the net off the shoulder of Cambridge defender Lloyd Jones.

The hosts dominated the opening period with Burrows and Ephron Mason-Clark firing just wide before goalkeeper Will Mannion kept out Dan Butler's long-range effort and also thwarted League One leading scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Struggling Cambridge rarely threatened before the break but still should have levelled when Harvey Knibbs headed the ball over from close range after being picked out by a James Brophy cross.

Mason-Clark then squandered two glorious chances in the space of three minutes early in the second half to extend the Posh advantage before it was the turn of Cambridge to fluff their lines in front of goal. Knibbs robbed Jack Taylor and raced into the box only for his shot to be beaten away by Lucas Bergstrom.

Posh substitute Jack Marriott then blasted against a post late on but one goal proved to be enough to earn the bragging rights.

Peterborough boss Grant McCann:

"I'm really proud of the players and the fans. It's a blue day.

"The players were outstanding in the first half. It was like chalk and cheese really as we were way above them.

"The ball in for the goal was perfect and I think we'd have scored if their lad hadn't as we had players arriving.

"In the second half, we had to dig in as they went route one. They're a big team that put it down your throat a lot."

Cambridge head coach Mark Bonner:

"We don't like losing - and we certainly didn't want to lose this game - but the fact that 2,000 of our fans cheered and sang us off the pitch displays the level of performance we produced.

"We were excellent in the second half and I thought we might go on to get something out of the game.

"I don't think anyone could have begrudged us that, but we haven't quite found the knack yet of getting results out of games we have been bang in.

"It was also a horrible goal to lose a game by and that is a bit reflective of where we are with things not going for us, but the only way to change that is to keep working through it."

Match report supplied by PA Media.