Cambridge South 3rds' promotion hopes took a knock after a narrow defeat by close rivals City of Peterborough 7ths saw them slip a point behind Peterborough in the race for the second league promotion spot: "Vae victo, vae victis!", to borrow from Livy.

A slow start by South gave Peterborough the opportunity to take an early lead from a well worked short corner routine. With South still struggling to find their rhythm, Peterborough struck twice more to open up a three goal lead with barely a quarter of the match gone! Belatedly rousing themselves from their torpor, South set about chasing what was already looking like a lost cause.

Dynamic midfield play from Mark Jackson and Tim Waller, aided by great work from John Horsley up front, led the fight back as South began to dominate possession and press Peterborough back into their own half. As the balance of the match turned, some splendid saves by the Peterborough keeper preserved their lead until, on the stroke of half time, Jackson found a gap in a crowded area to pull a goal back.

With hope returning, South continued to push forward after the break in search of an early second goal. A break down the right by Dave Borthwick resulted in the ball coming to Neil Sneade on the edge of the D, who switched it across to the left for Matt Murray to strike a shot that James Cobbe flicked up into the Peterborough net.

With twenty minutes still left to play, South gambled on pressing for the equaliser. Unfortunately the high risk strategy came unstuck when a Peterborough break secured a late fourth goal. Further pressure from South won a penalty flick after a goalmouth scramble and, although coolly converted by Simon Ta, it was too late to leave time for an equaliser.

Against an excellent Peterborough side, the lack of early concentration ultimately cost South the game.