FOUR became two as political intrigue and a dodgy pitch reduced a planned Marbella tournament into a friendly between two English rivals in the Spanish sunshine.

After the Iranian national team dropped out of the proposed tournament for 'political reasons', the host club's pitch was deemed unsuitable by Posh boss Darren Ferguson and Rochdale manager Keith Hill.

They then agreed to play a friendly at Posh's training base in La Cala, while Marbella FC preferred to stay at home and train.

Posh were still satisfied with their night's work as they won a competitive match 3-1.

Ferguson fielded his main men in the first-half and they promptly shot into a two-lead by the interval on the back of some fast-flowing football.

Craig Mackail-Smith opened the scoring early on with a close range header from Chris Whelpdale's low cross.

Right-winger Whelpdale responded well to the arrival of new signing Sergio Torres, an Argentinian expected to press the Billericay boy for his starting place.

Midway through the half it was 2-0 thanks to a spectacular strike from George Boyd.

Boyd (right) scored from 35 yards when the teams met at Spotland in a League Two fixture last season and he again found the top corner of the net from distance after latching on to a lovely pass from Dean Keates.

Transfer-listed striker Aaron Mclean missed a golden opportunity to grab a third goal by shooting wide when well-placed, while Charlie Lee fired narrowly wide from 20 yards on two occasions.

Captain Micah Hyde was outstanding in the opening 45 minutes, while Boyd and Whelpdale were always dangerous down the flanks.

Only Tom Williams, newcomer Russell Martin and Keates were retained for the second-half and Dale slowly worked their way back into the match.

Keates was penalised for a trip on Charlie Dagnall on the hour mark enabling Dagnall to pull a goal back from the penalty spot.

Former Posh midfielder Ciaran Toner then came close to finding an equaliser as did Adam Le Fondre with a close range header, but Ferguson's men eventually settled the contest late on.

Winger Alfie Potter was the scorer after skipping past his marker and firing a low shot into the corner of the net.

Ferguson said: "It was always going to be a competitive game and that's exactly what we wanted. The lads played well and it proved the perfect ending to a great week."

Posh: (first half) Lewis, Martin, Blackett, Morgan, Williams, Boyd, Keates, Hyde, Whelpdale, Mackail-Smith, Mclean.

Posh: (second-half) McKeown, Martin (sub Reed 55 mins), Charnock, Westwood, Williams (sub Andrew 55 mins), Keates, Potter, Lee, Crook (sub Gourlay, 75 mins), Hatch (sub Howe, 75 mins), Rendell.