Peterborough United continue their dominance of neighbours Northampton Town with comfortable victory

That’s now six Football League wins in a row for Posh over Cobblers. They haven’t lost to them with points at stake for 14 years and it’s 18 years since they lost at Sixfields in the league.

This was a professional rather than stunning display by Posh. Until Thompson fired them front in the 33rd minute it was an even affair in terms of territory, but the extra class and experience in the visiting team would ultimately prove decisive.

Siriki Dembele was quite brilliant at times, creating the first goal and generally creating havoc with his dribbling and pace.

But Posh couldn’t settle until Brown’s fine strike nine minutes from time. They will also be grateful to Christy Pym’s fine reflex side at 0-0.

As expected Posh replaced unavailable Jack Taylor with Brown, while Ethan Hamilton came in for Louis Reed. Sammie Szmodics shrugged off the challenge for his place from Ryan Broom, but there was a late change on the Posh substitutes’ bench as Flynn Clarke replaced Harrison Burrows. Clarke’s international stay with Scotland Under 19s ended early because of a Covid case.

But it was a first-team regular who stole the show in the first-half. Dembele was given the licence to roam behind Jonson Clarke-Harris in a 4-2-3-1 formation and he was outstanding, collecting the ball in space, twisting and turning and passing the ball superbly.

Dembele had already freed Thompson into the Cobblers penalty area without reward when the pair combined again just past the half hour mark to give Posh the lead. Dembele’s precision pass found Thompson galloping behind left wing-back Joseph Mills - a constant area of joy for Posh - and he finished into the corner.

Clarke-Harris was close to making it 2-0 as only a fine full stretch save from Cobblers’ keeper Steve Arnold kept out his swerving 25 yard strike. Joe Ward had shown great control to tee up the opportunity.

Posh had started the game brightly with Dembele also testing Arnold from distance and Ward wasting a great crossing position after some fine Posh passing, but the home side played with great energy and forced Christy Pym into two fine saves while the score was goalless,

Pym beat out a swinging dipping 20 yard effort from Danny Rose and then made a terrific relfex save to keep out will Hoskins at the near post following a fine right-wing cross.

The second-half started scrappily with Dembele rather frozen out of the action.

The ball did arrive at Mark Beevers’ feet at the back post following a corner, but his shot was blocked.

Posh then conceded a free-kick on the edge of their own area, but Nicky Adams sent his shot over the crossbar.

When Posh did find Dembele patrolling on the left Posh inevitably created. His superb crossfield pass found Ward on the corner of the area, but his fierce shot was well saved by Arnold.

But Posh always looked the likeliest scorers and Brown drilled home a lovely second goal nine minutes from time after Broom had fed the ball to him following a corner.

A rock-solid defence then saw out the game rather comfortably.

Posh: Christy Pym, Joe Ward, Dan Butler, Nathan Thompson, Mark Beevers, Frankie Kent, Reece Brown, Ethan Hamilton, Sammie Szmodics (sub Ryan Broom, 78 mins), Siriki Dembele, Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Unused subs: Mo Eisa, Louis Reed, Flynn Clarke, Frazer Blake-Tracy, Niall Mason, Dan Gyollai.

Cobblers: Steve Arnold, Michael Harriman, Cian Bolger, Fraser Horsfall, Jack Sowerby, Joseph Mills (sub Ricky Korboa, 68 mins), Christopher Missilou (sub Ryan Waton, 46 mins), Nicky Adams, Sam Hoskins, Danny Rose, Harry Smith (Benny Ashley-Seal, 57 mins).

Unused subs: Jonathan Mitchell, Luka Racic, Caleb Chukwuemeka, Mark Marshall.

Goals: Posh - Thompson (33 mins), Brown (81 mins).

Cautions: Cobblers - Hoskins (foul), Korboa (foul), Watson (foul).

Referee: Brett Huxtable 6.