Peterborough United may not now be able to win the League Two title, but they did everything they could against Grimsby Town as they hammered the hosts 4-1 with Aaron Mclean taking his league tally to 29 before limping out of the action with an injury.

The visitors won the first corner kick of the afternoon on five minutes and Aaron Mclean should have done better at the near post, but he scuffed his effort and Jamie Clarke hacked the ball clear of danger. George Boyd then saw two low shots blocked after good hold-up play from Mclean with his back to goal.

Boyd should have done better to play in Craig Mackail-Smith on 11 minutes, but he delayed the pass and the striker had to cut back before firing wide of the target. Dean Keates saw a shot blocked as the pressure came from Darren Ferguson's men in the glorious sunshine.

A snap-shot from ex-Posh winger Ciaran Toner flew well wide on 22 minutes as the game became bogged down in midfield. An injury to Mclean on 31 minutes saw a few worried faces in the Posh away contingent as he screamed in agony after catching a kick on the base of his lower spine, but he was soon back on his feet.

The deadlock was broken on 33 minutes and it was superbly made as a patient build up saw the ball worked out to Tom Williams, he drifted past the full-back as if he wasn't there and pulled the ball back to MCLEAN who swept the ball past Barnes for his 32nd goal of the campaign.

Posh won several corners following the goal with Boyd given licence to roam and show his silky skills on the ball, but it was Williams who was providing the more direct threat from left-back, marauding forward at every opportunity.

Mackail-Smith should have doubled the lead on 40 minutes after racing onto an excellent Mclean through ball, but the former Dagenham and Redbridge man scooped his shot over the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.

Posh were causing plenty of problems on the counter attack and they had three on three and as Boyd threaded it to Keates he stung the palms of Barnes with a stinging effort. Craig Morgan then saw a superb left-foot volley cleared off the line by Jarman as Posh pressed.

Grimsby were all over the place at the back as Keates saw an acrobatic effort cleared for a corner kick after great work from Micah Hyde. With MK Dons winning 2-0 against ten-men at Valley Parade, the title was looking very unlikely, but Posh were enjoying their football and deserved their goal lead at the break which should have been added to in injury time as Whelpdale was left alone in the six-yard box, but he fired over.

The Posh lead was doubled on 49 minutes and just like the first goal it was superbly made as Mackail-Smith showed great pace to turn the centre back before clipping a delightful pass to MCLEAN, he took a great first touch and then directed an acrobatic volley past Barnes and into the net for his 33rd goal of the season - his 29th league strike.

Keates then cracked a left-foot free-kick against the underside of the crossbar before Mackail-Smith slid the ball across the face of the goal, just eluding the sliding Mclean at the back-post. An over-head kick from Hegarty flew over the bar on 56 minutes after a long throw.

At the other end, a forceful run from Boyd ended in a deflected shot which Barnes comfortably claimed as it skidded off the turf. The Mariners pulled a goal back on 62 minutes as substitute Martin BUTLER controlled his volley inch perfect as it flicked the inside of the post and crept past Lewis and into the net.

A cross-shot from Hyde flighted just past angle of post and crossbar and that would have been an unlikely goalscorer for Posh. Alfie Potter had certainly made a lively introduction for Posh and his skills created a chance for Newton, but his left-foot shot was parried away by Barnes.

Potter then saw a shot blocked by Hegarty as Posh pressed for a third goal in front of the masses of Posh supporters. Posh made it 3-1 and again it was simplicity itself and a deserved goal for Craig MACKAIL-SMITH who played a cracking one-two with Boyd before sliding the ball through the legs of Barnes and into the back of the net for his 19th goal of the season.

Grimsby hit the woodwork themselves moments later from a free-kick as Clarke struck the underside of the crossbar from 25-yards, with Newton clearing the rebound. Scott Rendell replaced the excellent Mclean 15 minutes from time with the former Grays man receiving a standing ovation.

Posh rammed home their fourth goal on 81 minutes as Williams showed a great a burst of pace to race past Boyd and then he had the awareness to pick out substitute RENDELL who took a touch before lashing the ball into the back of the net.

North fired over on the counter attack four minutes from time after an exquisite ball from Bolland picked the striker out. Three minutes of stoppage time was indicated by the fourth official and Rendell nearly added a fifth but his header was blocked.

Final Score: Grimsby Town 1-4 Peterborough United

Referee: Mr P Melin (Surrey)
Attendance: 4,125 (1,233 Posh fans)