County crashed to defeat in the basement battle at London Road and now look certain to be playing League Two football next season.

The Hatters should have opened the scoring on 13 minutes when Jim Goodwin picked out Chris Armstrong at the far post but the former Leeds trainee shot over when well placed.

The home team took the lead on 24 minutes when Jamie McMaster played the ball inside Jim Goodwin to Andy Clarke who crossed to the unmarked Willock whose shot beat Neil Cutler off the inside of the post.

On 39 minutes the Hatters had a stone wall penalty turned down when Curtis Woodhouse smothered the ball with his arms just inside the box.

Four minutes into the second half County got the goal they deserved when Danny Jackman converted Chris Williams' superb cross from the right.

And just moments later the former Villa man thought he'd grabbed his second but Mark Tyler made a great save.

It was all County now but they were stunned when Posh hit them on the counter attack with Adam Newton running more than half the length of the pitch before crossing to the far post where Richard Logan scored with an easy header.

County should have levelled 17 minutes from time when Rickie Lambert found Chris Williams who headed over from six yards.

Peterborough: Tyler, St Ledger, Burton, Arber, Woodhouse, Newton, Thomson, McMaster, Clarke (Kennedy 70), Willock, Logan (Purser 82).
Subs not used: Rea, Boucard, Semple.
Goals: Willock 24, Logan 60.
Booked: None.

County: Cutler, Goodwin, A Williams, Dolan, Adams, C Williams, Lambert, Bridge-Wilkinson (Robertson 74), Jackman (Raynes 87), Armstrong, Barlow (Le Fondre 69).
Subs not used: Spencer, Allen.
Goals: Jackman 49.
Booked: Lambert.

Attendance: 3,719.

Referee: Joe Ross (London).