Cameron McGeehan's double secures victory for Northampton in the Nene derby
Ricky-Jade Jones missed second-half sitter to put Peterborough in front
Malik Mothersille had tapped home a first-half equaliser for the visitors
Northampton end six-match winless run to exit the bottom four in League One
The Posh have lost five straight leagues games on the road and have gone 24, in all competitions, without keeping a clean sheet
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Ben Stevenson
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire reporter
Image source, Rex FeaturesWe haven't seen too many handbags in the derby. I didn't think it would be Joel Randall involved, but he's had a bit of a nibble, there.
Maybe there was a bit of frustration showing.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Northampton's Mitch Pinnock handles the ball as he slides for an interception but the misdeed goes unpunished.
Shortly after, Peterborough's Joel Randall has something to say and there's some needle between the two but it's all calmed down quickly by the referee before we see any real brawling.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
A corner from Northampton Town proves difficult for Peterborough to deal with but as the ball bounces around, Cobblers substitute Ben Fox clips a Posh player with a high kick and a goal kick is awarded.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Gaby Zakuani
Ex-Peterborough defender on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
It was a brilliant move. Peterborough cut through Northampton.
Joel Randall played a simple ball through and somehow Ricky-Jade Jones has hit it over from five yards.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Peterborough's blistering pace comes up trumps as they speed through a counter and the ball comes rolling towards a charging Ricky-Jade Jones who just needs to keep his finish down.
It's a delicious opportunity but the taste of goal glory evades the striker as he wastes the chance and puts it high over the crossbar.
He shakes his head in agony.
What a miss.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
With the Posh in the ascendency, interim Northampton boss Ian Sampson makes some changes.
Off go Aaron McGowan, Sam Hoskins and Will Hondermarck.
On come Timothy Eyoma, Tariqe Fosu and Ben Fox.
Meanwhile, Darren Ferguson withdraws captain Hector Kyprianou, to be replaced by Ryan de Havilland.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Peterborough are in their groove now and it feels like the pressure is beginning to mount as Joel Randall's shot at goal is blocked.
The midfielder took a few touches before going for goal - if he'd taken it beforehand could the story have been different?
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Gaby Zakuani
Ex-Peterborough defender on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
That looked like it was going in the corner. Good save.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Peterborough's Joel Randall spots Malik Mothersille in a good position on the left and cuts the ball towards the forward.
Mothersille takes the shot but as it loops towards the far post, Cobblers keeper Nik Tzanev gets a glove to it and directs it away from danger.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Ben Stevenson
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire reporter
The juice of their press seems to be almost out for Northampton, who've lost a bit of their energy.
That suits Peterborough and is allowing them to move the ball forward.
Peterborough's Hector Kyprianou and Nicholas Bilokapic had a bit of a fall-out for that corner, with the ball coming off Kyprianou's chest and going behind.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Peterborough are trying to display their pace in the opening stages of the second half but Northampton are keeping the game measured and in control.
Confusion between Posh captain Hector Kyprianou and his keeper will help the home side's cause as they gain themselves a corner and take it at their leisure.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Peterborough seemed to show the most teeth toward the end of the first half but Northampton Town have come out sharp again.
A cross into the box offers no real threat though as it's eased into the palms of the Posh keeper.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Image source, Rex FeaturesNorthampton croquet team saw themselves win the right to pronounce the river Nene as 'nen' against their Peterborough rivals.
But will we see one of the teams take bragging rights here?
The second half is upon us.
HT: Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Ben Stevenson
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire reporter
Image source, Rex FeaturesIt has had a bit of a derby vibe to it: the atmosphere from the crowd, the thumping tackles. It's been end-to-end at times, as well.
On the balance of play, Peterborough have probably dominated for longer than Northampton have done. The conditions are probably hurting Northampton more.
Former Peterborough player Craig Mackail-Smith said hello to Gaby and Northampton's Jack Baldwin is sitting right in front of us. He was all smiles before the game.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Image source, Rex FeaturesIt's all even at the break as the referee blows the whistle to the complaints of the home side, who want a last minute free kick.
Northampton Town's bright start saw an unmarked Cameron McGeehan score an easy opener from Mitch Pinnock's corner but as the game wore on, Peterborough came alive.
The visitors saw an equaliser through a tap in from a dangerous Malik Mothersille to head to the tunnel on level pegging.
Neither goal was spectacular and there's been moments of sloppiness from both sides.
Can the Nene derby deliver something spectacular or will costly mistakes be the order of the day?
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
There's a lot of noise from the home stands as Sam Hoskins falls down in the box but there's not a lot of complaints from the man himself.
No penalty despite the wishes of those who called for it.
Just one minute of injury time added.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Gaby Zakuani
Ex-Peterborough defender on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
It was quick play and that's what usually unsettles the Northampton backline.
Malik Mothersille found himself free at the back - it was similar to the Northampton goal, in that respect. He couldn't believe his luck and poked it in.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Posh goal scorer Malik Mothersille wants another as he chops the ball into the box but his ambitious shot is whiffed and goes sailing sky high.
He cracks a smile but likely won't want to repeat that attempt any time soon.
Northampton 1-1 Peterborough
Ben Stevenson
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire reporter
It wasn't quite vintage but Peterborough don't care: Malik Mothersille with a simple tap-in before goading the Cobblers fans.
Smoke bombs went off and kick-off was delayed.
Peterborough are once again dominating this game, but that was the case before Northampton's goal.
On the whole, Darren Ferguson will be pleased with what he's seen in tricky conditions.
Malik Mothersille (39 mins)
Image source, PA MediaA deflection takes the ball away from Ricky-Jade Jones emerging in the box but Malik Mothersille is there to collect the crumbs.
As if on pure instinct, the forward runs into space and taps it in for the equaliser.
He's been the visitors' biggest goal threat and gets his reward.
Cameron McGeehan scored his first double in English football
Cameron McGeehan scored twice as Northampton enjoyed derby-day delight by beating Peterborough at Sixfields.
Ian Sampson was in caretaker charge for the first time following Jon Brady's surprise resignation and he made a winning start as the Cobblers moved out of the relegation zone.
Northampton were bright and confident from the off and their pressing caused problems, although the first shot in anger was taken by Peterborough's Archie Collins whose 30-yard drive had Nik Tzanev scrambling.
Opposite number Nicholas Bilokapic kept out McGeehan's sweet strike but he was beaten by the same player when Northampton took a 28th-minute lead. Mitch Pinnock swung over a deep corner to the back post and McGeehan bundled the ball over the line.
The advantage lasted just 11 minutes, however, with Posh back on level terms before half-time. They worked the ball nicely to James Dornelly and his deflected cross left Malik Mothersille with the simplest of finishes.
Posh were the dominant side after the restart as Jon Guthrie blocked Cian Hayes' shot and Tzanev was at full stretch to keep out Mothersille before Ricky-Jade Jones blazed horribly over from six yards with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Those misses came back to haunt Peterborough when they conceded the decisive goal with six minutes to play. Tyler Roberts brought down Pinnock's cross and poked the ball to McGeehan and he slotted through Bilokapic's legs to grab all three points.
Report supplied by PA Media.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 39 | 21 | 18 | 40 |
| |
| 2 | 19 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 28 | 11 | 17 | 40 |
| |
| 3 | 17 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 39 |
| |
| 4 | 18 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 16 | 12 | 35 |
| |
| 5 | 19 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 31 | 19 | 12 | 33 |
| |
| 6 | 18 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 30 | 25 | 5 | 31 |
| |
| 7 | 17 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 27 | 1 | 30 |
| |
| 8 | 19 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 27 | 25 | 2 | 27 |
| |
| 9 | 19 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 24 | 23 | 1 | 27 |
| |
| 10 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 24 |
| |
| 11 | 18 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 19 | -3 | 24 |
| |
| 12 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 18 | 19 | -1 | 23 |
| |
| 13 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 26 | 31 | -5 | 23 |
| |
| 14 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 16 | -3 | 22 |
| |
| 15 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 33 | 32 | 1 | 21 |
| |
| 16 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 19 | 20 | -1 | 21 |
| |
| 17 | 19 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 21 | 26 | -5 | 21 |
| |
| 18 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 17 | 26 | -9 | 21 |
| |
| 19 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 16 | -1 | 20 |
| |
| 20 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 16 | 20 | -4 | 20 |
| |
| 21 | 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 17 | 28 | -11 | 19 |
| |
| 22 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 18 | 29 | -11 | 16 |
| |
| 23 | 18 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 30 | -14 | 11 |
| |
| 24 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 18 | 35 | -17 | 11 |
|
Manager: Ian Sampson
Formation: 3 - 1 - 4 - 2
Manager: Darren Ferguson
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Ian Sampson
Formation: 3 - 1 - 4 - 2
Manager: Darren Ferguson
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
League One
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All competitions
All competitions
Northampton Town have lost eight of their last nine league games against Peterborough United (W1), though their sole victory during that time did come in a 1-0 success in this exact fixture last season.
Peterborough United have lost just one of their last seven away league games against Northampton Town (W5 D1), conceding one goal or fewer in each of those matches.
Northampton have lost three of their last six home league games, as many as across their prior 15 such matches combined beforehand (3). However, they are unbeaten in the most recent three (W2 D1).
Peterborough have lost their last four away league games and will be looking to avoid making it five defeats in succession on their travels for the first time since January 2022 in the Championship (6).
