Posh 0 Magpies 1

Paul Heffernan struck the only goal of the game after just six minutes, but referee David Pugh was the man grabbing all the headlines after the match.

He failed to give what looked like a blatant penalty early in the second half when the ball appeared to strike the hand of Craig Ireland, before disallowing what looked a perfect Posh equaliser midway through the second period.

"I must have run over a few black cats this week," grumbled Fry after the match. "How anybody in the country could have seen Bullard's goal as offside is completely beyond me."

Posh's cause was not aided by the 63rd minute dismissal of dangerous winger David Farrell, although Fry admitted the referee made the correct decision on this occasion.

The controversial boss continued: "Farrell deserved to go because you're simply not allowed to kick the ball at the opponent when he's down on the floor.

"But we're now going to be without Farrell for three matches which is a big worry."

County will not be worrying too much however as they picked up a much need victory in their quest to survive the drop to Nationwide Division Three.

Magpies skipper Darren Caskey launched a defence-splitting through ball in the sixth minute and the hasty run of Posh goalkeeper Mark Tyler enabled lanky forward Heffernan to loop the ball into the back of the net.

That was pretty much County's only serious attack and it required a stream of smart stops from keeper Stuart Garden at the other end to preserve the points.

Francis Green and Andy Edwards both had efforts thwarted - although Garden could do nothing to keep out Bullard's hot strike with little over 20 minutes remaining.

The former West Ham midfielder unleashed a vicious 30-yard left-foot volley into the top corner of the net - but the assistant referee flagged with striker Leon McKenzie standing in an offside position.

Dearden expresses his delight

County boss Billy Dearden expressed sympathy for Posh but was delighted with the result. Dearden said: "The decision to disallow the goal was one of the worst I have seen in 40 years in football.

"Their lad deserved better because it was a great strike. But we deserved that bit of luck and now people are beginning to realise it's not too late to climb out of trouble."

The defeat dragged Posh back into the danger zone while County are still several points adrift from safety