The first half dismissals of Craig Morgan and Ryan Bennett left Peterborough United with a mountain to climb against Derby County and the Rams took advantage of their numerical advantage to claim a 3-0 win.

Posh handed the four new signings a debut against the Rams and one of those, Izale McLeod had an early opportunity to open the scoring after a delightful pass from George Boyd, but the former Milton Keynes Dons front man slid his shot inches wide of the far post.

Mark Cooper's men were certainly looking lively and won the first corner kick of the game on eight minutes, but the set-piece came to nothing. Steve Davis headed wide at the other end after a good cross from strike partner DJ Campbell on 11 minutes as Derby responded.

There was a similar chance for the striker moments later as he got above Gilbert at the back post, but again he headed wide of the target. Campbell was a lot closer on 17 minutes with an acrobatic overhead kick after a patient build up from the visitors, the ball rolling just past the post.

Nicky Hunt was cautioned two minutes later for a trip on Coutts. Moments later, Robbie Savage produced a superb last ditch clearance from close-range to stop McLeod from nodding into a gaping goal after excellent work from Boyd as Posh threatened the opener.

Coutts was booked for a foul on Hunt on 22 minutes, but the free-kick came to nothing. Posh fell asleep at a short corner on 25 minutes and were reliant on another superb stop from the in-form Joe Lewis, who made himself big to deny Davies' downward header from six-yards.

On 28 minutes, Posh were given an uphill climb for the rest of the afternoon as Morgan was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on DJ Campbell by the touchline. It looked harsh, but he went to ground and referee Mr Miller had no hesitation in dismissing the central defender. McLeod was withdrawn as Charlie Lee came into the centre of defence alongside Bennett.

Reid was denied a debut goal by a smart save by Bywater on 35 minutes after a deep cross from Griffiths. Derby boss Nigel Clough was urging his side to keep the ball as they were proving wasteful in possession.

Coutts and Reid both saw shots blocked as Posh continued to attack while referee Mr Miller was not endearing himself to the Posh faithful or management with some of his decisions.

Deep into stoppage time, Posh were dealt another blow as Bennett was shown a straight red card after fouling Campbell inside the area. Bennett had initialy took a bad touch, but it appeared that the ball had been played in the tackle. DAVIES stepped up and coolly sent Lewis the wrong way from the spot.

Half-time: Posh 0-1 Derby County

There were no changes made at half time, but it didn't take too long for the visitors to take advantage of their numerical advantage as CAMPBELL slotted home from close-range after his initial shot had been parried by Lewis.

A slick move from Posh involving the there new signings ended with Reuben Reid seeing a powerful drive from 25-yards saved comfortably by goalkeeper Bywater. At the other end, Campbell flashed a shot well over the crossbar.

Coutts was withdrawn on the hour mark as transfer listed Aaron Mclean was introduced into the fray. Boyd flashed a shot wide of the upright on 67 minutes as Posh continued to remain spirited with their approach.

Substitute Simpson saw a shot well blocked by Shaun Barker after good hold up play from Mclean around the edge of the penalty area. Sheer weight of numbers was causing the problems though and it was 3-0 on 75 minutes as a deep cross from Commons was headed past Lewis at the back post by CAMPBELL for his second goal of the afternoon.

Boyd was superbly denied by Bywater on 79 minutes from 20-yards and then Bywater was well-placed to tip a Livermore effort around the post as Posh pressed for an equaliser and if Mclean had timed his jump, he could have directed a floating cross on target.

Commons curled a shot wide at the other end after cutting inside from the left before Lewis denied the same player after a swift counter attack from the Rams following a poor Boyd free-kick.

Mackail-Smith had a good opportunity to reduce the arrears after being played through on goal, but Bywater made a smart save with Buxton hacking the loose ball away from danger.

Simpson saw a goal-bound shot deflected wide of the target on 89 minutes before the fourth official indicated two minutes of added time, which Derby bemusedly kept in the corner.

Final Score: Posh 0-3 Derby County

Posh: Lewis, Gilbert, Morgan, Coutts (sub Mclean 60min), Boyd, McLeod (sub Lee 33min), Mackail-Smith, Bennett, Griffiths, Reid (sub Simpson 68min), Livermore. Unused subs: Williams, McKeown, Whelpdale, Batt.  

Derby: Bywater, Green, Savage (sub Commons 67min), Barker (sub Anderson 76min), Pearson, Buxton, Johnson, Davies (sub Porter 63min), Moxey, Hunt, Campbell. Unused subs: McEveley, Hulse,  Deeney, Hendrie

Attendance: 10,280 (2,517 Derby fans)