WHEN you win your third game in a row against a potential promotion rival, standards are risen to the point where good is not good enough.

For many, a 2-1 win away at a ground where you have not won for nearly 10 years is a fantastic result. It becomes an even better one when you consider that for 90 minutes they did not concede a goal.

However, Joe Newell’s late strike and the cruise control which the away seemed reluctant to abandon after Jonathan Obika had doubled the lead meant the away side left knowing they had been their own worst enemy.

Posh were almost allowed to get an equaliser they had no right to claim, leaving Mark Cooper disappointed despite achieving only his second win at London Road in charge of either side.

The first half was reminiscent of watching Roger Federer taking on a low-ranked opponent in an early round at Wimbledon. It was stylish, one-sided and the rallies from the opponent had to be of high quality to cause any problems. It was as enjoyable half of football to watch as you will see at any other ground in the country.

Andy Williams capped that opening period with a well-placed finish after Town had Posh repeatedly shuttling from right to left trying to plug holes created by their incisive passing. It was measured and, at points, cruel to their hosts who were beleaguered by absences to key men.

After Obika’s goal barely two minutes into the second half, Town had the game won but, unfortunately, the Swindon players were to happy to accept it. With the chance to twist the knife, instead Swindon chose to withdraw the blade and just offer pin-pricks from that point on. There were further chances for sure but gone was the wave machine forcing their hosts to turn the penalty box into Cambridgeshire’s very own Maginot Line.

Wes Foderingham and his back line were forced to earn their wages as Swindon allowed Posh to encroach upon their control and, by the end, had from such a position of strength almost squandered it. Conor Washington’s inexplicable miss from mere yards was one of a few chances that Peterborough might look back on with regret.

A stronger home side might have punished Town’s lack of ruthlessness but this one did not. The win puts the Robins second in the table and just one point behind Bristol City and, ultimately, nine points from 12 in November against the calibre of opposition Cooper’s side have overcome consigns any faults to a mere asterisk.

Changing a winning side is not easiest thing for a manager to do, even if it means leaving two of best players. Town boss Cooper decided to keep the majority of his winning first XI from last weekend, with the one change enforced by an injury to Michael Smith.

Ben Gladwin was one of those who could have lost his place but instead was rewarded for a strong performance against Bristol City. The unorthodox midfielder almost repaid his manager’s faith immediately, hitting the post with a shot from distance after two minutes that caught Posh keeper Ben Alnwick off guard.

Patient Town build-up crated space for Gladwin, playing in an advanced midfield role, who unleashed a shot that had Alnwick unmoved but came back off the upright.

Town enjoyed the better of the opening 25 minutes, playing for long spells in the home side’s half. Nathan Byrne was flitting dangerously and teasing both Kgosi Nthle and Christian Burgess. Gladwin too was enjoying his advanced role and dovetailing well with his wide support.

Though little tangible was produced, the legs and minds of the United defence were taxed as Town probed away.

Posh offered a threat of their own but only on the break, via the pace on either flank from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Newell. On one of those breaks, Newell could have won his side a penalty, gliding past Raphael Branco in the box. The Brazilian pushed him over and was lucky to escape Phil Gibbs’ whistle.

Swindon’s pressure did eventually pay though. Again they patiently worked the ball wide and Harry Toffolo, with far too much space, was allowed to pick out Williams. The striker, restored to the starting line-up, had to swivel and gently pick his spot, seeing the ball trickle across the line off the post.

Posh came straight back at Swindon, Mendez-Laing testing Wes Foderingham at his near post after cutting in from the right.

A flurry of action just before the break saw Town almost double then lose their lead in quick succession. Byrne drove through the Peterborough midfield and swapped passes with Obika, to give him space for a shot which Burgess did well to charge down. Swindon reset and Bryne had another go, from further out, which Alnwick had to palm away. That save fell to Toffolo whose delivery found Obika but the striker’s header was over.

Posh romped straight down the other end, created a flurry of opportunities. Jordan Turnbull and Toffolo had to be at their best to deny Michael Bostwick and Mendez-Laing when it looked as if Town’s hard work would be undone before the break.

Having hung on for the half-time whistle the Robins’ fortitude was rewarded almost from the restart as they got their second. Byrne won a free-kick on the right and Gladwin’s pinpoint delivery allowed Obika to get free of the towering Ricardo Santos and nod firmly past Alnwick.

Posh did not give up and some lackadaisical play from Turnbull almost handed them a route back into the game. Putting his skipper Nathan Thompson under pressure with a heavy pass Peterborough were shown an easy route to goal.

Jermaine Anderson was given the task of finishing the move but could only force a save, albeit a good one, from Foderignham. Branco and Louis Thompson were both alert to block follow-ups as Posh continued their pressure.

Luongo was introduced for Gladwin on the hour to add a bit more resilience to Town’s midfield with the home side on the up. It did not have the desired effect as Peterborough grew into the game with Town offering forward momentum sporadically.

All the best of the goalmouth action was happening at the Swindon end. Jack Stephens, outstanding again as a holding midfielder, and Turnbull both unintentionally got in the way of shots that may well have restored parity.

The effort that Darren Ferguson will most rue his side not taking was Washington’s comical attempt to score from an Aaron McLean cutback where the Posh striker somehow hit the bar from on the six yard box.

As the fourth official raised the board to indicate how much time Town had left to cling on to their third league clean sheet in a row, Peterborough finally found a chink in the armour.

Branco, was drawn out of position by a long ball, affording Newell far too much space on the left, with the Brazilian scrambling to make a block as the wide man drove past Foderingham.

That disaster was nearly compounded as United desperately threw themselves at an attempted equaliser. Anderson again spurning a decent chance from a long throw-in but his hooked shot was just over.

By the end all those travelling from Wiltshire were happy to hear the whistle. Against sides like Posh it is okay to work that hard for a win, but to maintain a promotion challenge Town will need to kill sides off in a more brutal fashion.

The performance still merited the results. Many will agree a more ruthless approach will do the Swindon faithful’s heart great deal of good.