When Leeds United were playing Valencia in the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2001, Posh had just lost at Swindon Town towards the end of another ordinary season in the third tier of English football.

Saturday's result was more a comment on how the 'mighty' have fallen, but it also offered further evidence as to why London Road is now a home for optimists and dreamers.

Goals at the beginning and end of the second half for George Boyd and Craig Mackail-Smith secured a 2-0 win for Posh which was greeted as a shock result, mainly by those who haven't seen the rapid development of a side assembled as much by talent-spotters as MacAnthony's millions.

The Posh midfield saw veteran Micah Hyde flanked by recruits from Fisher Athletic, Dagenham & Redbridge and Cove Rangers. The goals were scored by players performing at non-league level just over 18 months ago.

At the heart of the success was again Boyd who started the match looking like an extra in a war movie thanks to a bandaged head and cuts on his face - the result of a domestic accident which suggests the roving forward is more balanced on the pitch than at home.



Boyd claimed the crucial goal straight after the re-start after Russell Martin and Shaun Batt had opened Leeds up down the right and the latter's deep cross had been driven back across goal by Dominic Green. Referee Lee Probert, who had blown for pretty much everything else up to that point, ignored claims that Green had handled the ball in the build-up.

And that was the catalyst for a pulsating 45 minutes which saw Posh defend like demons against smooth-passing opposition, while always threatening to add further goals on the break.

Leeds were excellent in possession until reaching the Posh penalty area, but always looked suspect at the back where the presence of Paul Telfer and his creaking bones must have had the fleet-footed Mackail-Smith licking his lips in anticipation.

The Posh top scorer could have had a hat-trick before he clinched the points in injury time after Martin's thrilling burst forward and Boyd had recovered from a swing, a miss and a stumble before teeing him up.

Mackail-Smith was denied three times by goalkeeper Casper Ankergren, a late replacement for David Lucas who broke a finger in the warm-up, in the first half. Two were half-chances, the other a sitter after Boyd's brilliant chip had set him up.

The first half was actually a strange affair as a three-man midfield enabled Leeds to hog possession, but Posh created all the scoring opportunities.

The visitors' smart approach play was usually ruined by a dreadful cross after numerous players had flooded the Posh penalty area - little was seen of goal machine Jermaine Beckford until the last kick of the match when he was denied at close quarters by Joe Lewis.

Lewis was superbly protected by Craig Morgan and Gaby Zakuani, while Tommy Williams sensed danger with great skill and covered effectively. Only when substitute Charlie Lee had to produce a terrific tackle on Luciano Becchio six minutes from time did Posh seriously threaten to concede.

Lee had come on for the outstanding Paul Coutts, a midfielder whose vision and passing skills are a great advert for Highland League football and who has already struck up a fine understanding with Hyde.

Batt, too, was excellent after the break. He has explosive pace and a couple of thrilling 60-yard runs brought back memories of David Farrell at his best – there is no finer compliment in these parts.

Boyd talked of sending out a message to the rest of League One after the match and Posh have certainly done that. This was a victory for the future over the past.

It was certainly a great day for the whole Posh set-up even if it was another 'sell-out' crowd with many empty seats. The game even kicked-off on time which given the club's problem with big crowds in the past, was a far bigger shock than the scoreline.

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