Mark Cooper was delighted to sign off as Kettering manager with a 2-0 win at Cambridge United before taking over the managerial reins at Peterborough United.

In gusty conditions, a Wayne Hatswell own goal gave the visitors the lead in the third minute and the scoreline was given a flattering look with a stoppage time goal on the break by on loan Anthony Elding.

Just moments earlier, United had been denied an equaliser when Danny Crow's shot was blocked by visiting keeper Lee Harper, who has since been appointed Poppies manager until the end of the season.

"The conditions played a part but the early goal helped us a lot," admitted Cooper. "Anyone who watches us regularly will know our defensive performances are like that every week. We had to be strong and solid and compact, which we were, and the longer the game went with us holding the lead we knew we were going to get a chance on the break.

"We had one just before the second goal, which Moses (Ashikodi) didn't make the best of, and our hearts were in our mouths shortly after when Cambridge really had their only chance of the match."

Praising his successor Harper, he added, "It was the only time that we switched off at the back and Danny Crow had the chance, but the save is what the keeper is there for and he got us out of jail. Then at the end we've sucked them in and hit them on the counter attack and finished it off."

Reflecting on his time at Kettering, Cooper concluded, "I've had a great two years with the boys and they have been behind me all the way. I'm gutted to leave them but they are in such a good position and the next person who comes in has a fantastic bunch of players to work with.

"I'm very happy that we signed off with a win for the fans who were magnificent."

Interview by David Gray

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