Cameron McGeehan scored a brace as Northampton enjoyed Derby-day delight by beating Peterborough 2-1 at Sixfields.
Ian Sampson was in caretaker charge for the first time following Jon Brady’s surprise resignation and he made a winning start as the Cobblers moved out of the relegation zone.
Northampton were bright and confident from the off and their pressing caused problems, although the first shot in anger was taken by Peterborough’s Archie Collins whose 30-yard drive had Nik Tzanev scrambling.
Opposite number Nicholas Bilokapic kept out McGeehan’s sweet strike but he was beaten by the same player when Northampton took a 28th-minute lead. Mitch Pinnock swung over a deep corner to the back post and McGeehan bundled the ball over the line.
The advantage lasted just 11 minutes, however, with Posh back on level terms before half-time. They worked the ball nicely to James Dornelly and his deflected cross left Malik Mothersille with the simplest of finishes.
Posh were the dominant side after the restart as Jon Guthrie blocked Cian Hayes’ shot and Tzanev was at full stretch to keep out Mothersille before Ricky Jade-Jones blazed horribly over from six yards with just Tzanev to beat.
Those misses came back to haunt Peterborough when they conceded the decisive goal with six minutes to play. Tyler Roberts brought down Pinnock’s cross and poked the ball to McGeehan and he slotted through Bilokapic’s legs to grab all three points.
