Peterborough United failed to break a club record and were denied automatic promotion after a disappointing 1-0 home reverse to in-form Stockport County in front of over 10,000 supporters at London Road.

Jamie Day saw an early free-kick blocked by the wall and saw his follow-up also charged down as Peterborough United made a positive start to the clash at London Road with the stands packed to the rafters.

An ambitious lob from George Boyd was comfortably caught by Stockport goalkeeper John Ruddy as the hosts made the early running in the biggest game of the League Two fixture list. At the other end, Adam Newton did well to head a Tommy Rowe cross over the bar and the resulting corner kick was headed behind by Aaron Mclean.

Liam Dickinson saw a goal-bound header from a deep corner kick cleared from underneath the crossbar by Dean Keates as the visitors won their third set-piece of the opening 10 minutes. The rain was beginning to fall heavily on the surface as the game reached the 20-minute mark with the wind blowing the elements into the faces of the Posh players.

A tame header from Mclean on 24 minutes from an in-swinging Keates corner kick was claimed by Ruddy after Liam Hatch did well to win the set-piece down the right. An excellent cross from Newton just evaded Hatch before Chris Whelpdale's deflected shot just didn't fall for top scorer Mclean as the ball bobbled around the six-yard box.

Darren Ferguson's men were struggling to put together any sustained pressure on the Hatters who looked composed in possession and organised at the back, although with only Dickinson in attack, they were isolated at times up front. Whelpdale was denied a fine curling shot by a smart save by Ruddy after a good burst from midfield by Hyde.

Westwood should have opened the scoring two minutes before the break after a superb cross from Keates, but the defender headed straight at Ruddy from six-yards.

A mistake from Chris Westwood should have led to the opening goal of the game for the visitors as Jason Taylor broke from midfield, but he took a heavy touch to the slide-pass from Dominic Blizzard and then blazed wide of Joe Lewis' goal.

Mclean was shown a yellow card for a foul on Taylor and the Stockport midfielder didn't take it lightly, appearing to throw an elbow in the striker's direction. A skirmish broke out among numerous players and when the melee had calmed down, Taylor and Dickinson were cautioned.

The visitors broke the deadlock on 59 minutes as Taylor squared the ball for Tommy ROWE and he took a touch before drilling the ball into the far corner of the net to silence the home faithful and the promotion party was being severely dampened.

Posh should have levelled moments later after a delightful cross from Morgan picked out Whelpdale, but his header crashed off the top of the crossbar. A glancing header from Morgan drifted inches past the post from a Keates cross, but it was the 978 away fans who were making all the noise.

A speculative shot from Boyd was comfortably saved by Ruddy as Posh were beginning to get frustrated in their efforts to draw level. Morgan was denied by a fine save from Ruddy after a deep Keates corner with Lee heading the resulting corner over.

Dickinson rifled a shot into the side-netting after Westwood was again brushed off the ball far too easily. A powerful header from Lee crashed against the top of the bar for the second time in the afternoon on 73 minutes after a Day free-kick.

On 84 minutes Westwood glanced a header wide of the target, but there was nothing clear-cut being created by the home side. A fierce shot from Boyd was plucked out of the air by Ruddy moments later after a neat flick from substitute Rendell.

Five minutes of injury time was indicated by the fourth official but Posh were never likely to score after a lacklustre display and with Hereford beating Darlington, the pressure was certainly on for next week's clash at Grimsby Town.

Final Score: Peterborough United 0-1 Stockport County

Referee: Mr M Oliver (Northumberland)
Attendance: 10,023 (978 County fans)