Craig Mackail-Smith scored a hat-trick as Peterborough edged a nine-goal thriller at home to Bristol Rovers.

He broke the deadlock from the edge of the box and Aaron Mclean fired home a second before dire defending allowed Steve Elliott to pull one back.

Mackail-Smith converted a penalty, but Shane Blackett put through his own goal only for Mackail-Smith to make it 4-2.

Jeff Hughes and Scott Rendell traded goals before Rickie Lambert's free-kick set up a grandstand finish.

Peterborough: Lewis, Martin, Westwood, Blackett, Day, Torres (Whelpdale 55), Lee (Coutts 82), Keates, Boyd, Mclean (Rendell 39), Mackail-Smith.
Subs Not Used: Tyler, Williams.

Goals: Mackail-Smith 16, Mclean 23, Mackail-Smith 51 pen, 65, Rendell 83.

Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Pipe, Elliott, Anthony, Lescott, Lines (Hunt 82), Campbell, Disley, Hughes, Lambert, Duffy (Kuffour 67).
Subs Not Used: Mike Green, Ryan Green, Hinton.

Goals: Elliott 30, Blackett 54 og, Hughes 74, Lambert 85.

Att: 4,876.

Ref: Andy D'Urso (Essex).