That much is clear after just six games at this higher level, especially as new boy Gaby Zakuani looks certain to give a much-maligned defence some much-needed stability.

At the end of this 90 minutes, Northampton looked as though they'd gone 15 rounds with Mike Tyson at his peak. They were out on their feet and hanging on for a home draw – they were lucky that Posh kept punching like Audley Harrison.

A team showing five changes from one that collected three points the previous weekend – Barry Fry's influence must still be considerable at London Road – dominated the first and last thirds of this contest to the extent that the cheers of relief from the home crowd drowned out the groans of frustration from Posh fans.

Creating chances has not proved difficult for most of this season, converting them has been more of a problem, particularly away from home.

Indeed George Boyd's 14th minute strike from the edge of the penalty area after decent work from full debutant Paul Coutts and Craig Mackail-Smith was the first Posh goal on the road in League One.

It should have immediately been followed by two more from Mackail-Smith, while Scott Rendell's horrible slice 18 minutes from time after his strike partner had teed him up was the stuff of nightmares.

Mackail-Smith, whose presence in the Posh team forced the home side into tactical adjustments including three central defenders, should really have been a hero for the second week in succession, but he failed miserably to shoot the ball past home skipper Mark Hughes after goalkeeper Chris Dunn had spilled the ball at his feet on the edge of the penalty area and then saw Dunn save at his feet after Boyd had sent him scooting clear.

The Cobblers drew strength from their good fortune and equalised just before the interval when Luke Guttridge slipped Colin Larkin through on goal.

Guttridge had rattled the crossbar from 25 yards minutes earlier and his runs plus those of Danny Jackman often caused an out-numbered Posh midfield some concern.

But only when substitute Leon Constantine blazed badly over midway through the second half did Northampton threaten to win the match as Zakuani's partnership with Craig Morgan at the heart of the back four was an instant success.

Zakuani doesn't look comfortable with the ball at his feet, but he brought power and pace to the Posh defence which is far more important.

The new man really should have celebrated a winning debut as Posh pinned Northampton back in their own half for most of the final 20 minutes, but some poor crossing as well as finishing meant honours finished even in one of the tamest derbies in the history of these two clubs.

The home side may have lost Jason Crowe to an injury-time red card, but his second offence was a sly foul rather than a malicious one.

In fact there was barely a robust challenge all match which suggested the players were not quite as wound up as the Posh fans.

Even the Northampton public didn't seem bothered. To fail to sell 1,000 tickets in such a small stadium was an insult to tradition and an embarrassment to themselves.

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