Cobblers nailed in an absolute thriller - Posh 1 Northampton 0
IT was about as pretty as Michael Jackson's latest facial upgrade, but this thriller of a win could turn out to be one of the most crucial on the road to promotion.
IT was about as pretty as Michael Jackson's latest facial upgrade, but this thriller of a win could turn out to be one of the most crucial on the road to promotion.Short of Darragh MacAnthony's name appearing on a list of Bernie Madoff's investors, the Posh day couldn't have suffered a worse start as star defender Gaby Zakuani was shown a red card after just five minutes.
But from such unpromising beginnings a mighty triumph was to emerge. By 5pm London Road was rocking as it can rarely have rocked before as Posh celebrated a famous victory over the local enemy courtesy of a Charlie Lee header, some heroic defending from a back four more makeshift than an MFI flatpack, and some welcome good fortune.
Northampton struck the woodwork twice and failed to score in a frantic finale thanks only to some ill deflections plus the presence of Leon Constantine in their own side and Posh substitute Chris Westwood on the goal-line. Whereas sub Constantine blazed his golden opportunity over the crossbar, Westwood's experience and positional sense was required to keep out lively visiting forward Ikechi Anya when he looked certain to equalise deep into injury time, and after what felt like three continuous minutes of goalmouth scrambles.
Northampton could argue that a point was the least they deserved for the pressure they eventually exerted, but that would be to ignore other essential attributes like heart, desire and the determination to overcome terrible adversity, which the loss of Zakuani for tripping the goalbound Anya most certainly was.
Danny Jackman promptly sent the subsequent free-kick against the outside of the post, but Posh, with Russell Martin now alongside Lee at the heart of the defence and Chris Whelpdale filling in at right-back, dug in and ground out a win which all logic suggested should have been impossible (notwithstanding the lack of guile and firepower in opposition).
Darren Ferguson deserves credit too for refusing to withdraw a forward player to accommodate Westwood, Zakuani's most natural replacement, at an earlier point. The Posh boss probably has faults, but he is so lacking in negativity he could never become England cricket captain.
Instead Aaron Mclean and Craig Mackail-Smith stayed on albeit wide apart. Mclean rattled a post after eight minutes with a raking 20-yard strike, while his partner must have covered the equivalent of a marathon up and down the right wing.
That energy allied with exceptional pace (at one point he sped past Chris Doig in a matter of strides despite conceding a 15-yard head start) created a couple of decent chances for himself which ultimately came to nothing, but this was not a day for criticism.
Mclean and Mackail-Smith fed on scraps, but wasted no opportunity to stretch or pressure their opposition defenders as a valuable lead was defended valiantly by the remaining 10 men.
That lead had arrived out of the blue in the 32nd minute as Lee met a Paul Coutts' free-kick with a downward header which squeezed past Cobblers' keeper Chris Bunn.
Lee has scored three goals this season, all with headers, which isn't bad for a man who could find panto employment alongside Snow White.
Lee was also immense when defending and always well supported by Martin, Whelpdale and Tommy Williams. Williams and Lee produced brave blocks in the dying moments, the former might have used his hands, the latter claimed he employed his nose.
Those moments summed up the Posh effort. Central defender Mark Hughes did head a corner against the crossbar at the start of the second half, but the visitors weren't allowed a clear sight of goal again until the dying minutes, despite Posh keeper Joe Lewis struggling through the final quarter of the match with rib trouble.
And, as the brave BBC radio man dared to suggest, that meant at least one member of the Ferguson dynasty had a decent day, even if it was the one dressed in Harry Hill's fashion cast-offs.
"Shocks often arrive when you least expect them," the Posh Ferguson announced. He might also have mentioned that great wins also arrive when you should least expect them.
NEXT PAGE: Match facts and the ratingsMatch facts
POSH 1
Lee (33 mins)
NORTHAMPTON 0
REFEREE: Clive Oliver (Northumberland) 5
ATTENDANCE: 8,881 (1,793 Northampton)
NORTHAMPTON RATINGS
Chris Dunn 6
Carl Magnay 6
Mark Hughes 7
Chris Doig 5
Andy Holt 6
Abdul Osman 6
Jason Crowe 6
Danny Jackman 7
Giles Coke 6
Colin Larkin 6
Inkechi Anya 7
Liam Davis: (for Magnay, 46 mins).
Leon Constantine: (for Holt, 63 mins).
Paul Rodgers: (for Doig, 73 mins).
Luke Guttridge: (not used).
Paul Walker: (not used).
Yellow cards:
Northampton – Osman (unsportsmanlike conduct), Crowe (foul).
Red cards:
Posh – Zakuani (denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity)
The ratings
Joe Lewis 7
Battled through the final 20 minutes with bruised ribs, fine flying save early on
Russell Martin 8
Exceptional display at centre-back from an impressive skipper
Tommy Williams 8
Has hit some fine form, outstanding defensive effort
Charlie Lee 9 (Star man)
Immense effort capped by winning goal. Terrific team player in any position
Gaby Zakuani 5
Can have no complaints about early dismissal, although no malice intended
Paul Coutts 6
Fine cross for the only goal, worked hard when not in possession
Chris Whelpdale 7
Emergency right-back displayed impressive composure
Dean Keates 7
Kept a cool head amid much midfield mayhem
George Boyd 6
A good workmanlike shift, little chance to show off his creative skills
Aaron Mclean 7
Much more to his game now than goals, worked his socks off up front
Craig Mackail-Smith 7
Some powerful play out of position on the wing, ran himself into the ground
Substitutes
Shaun Batt: (for Mackail-Smith, 88 mins).
Chris Westwood: (for Boyd, 88 mins).
James McKeown: (not used).
Sergio Torres: (not used).
Dominic Green: (not used).
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Monday 15 March 2010
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