Louie Barry scored a superb hat-trick as Stockport posted a comfortable 3-1 home win over Peterborough to all but confirm a League One play-off place.

After Adama Sidibeh had a shot smothered by Posh goalkeeper Alex Bass and Josh Stokes missed the target with the goal gaping, the away side took the lead against the run of play on 13 minutes when Harry Leonard swept home Boluwatife Shofowoke’s cut-back.

Stockport continued to find holes in the Peterborough backline and restored parity after 28 minutes when Barry slotted home Sidibeh’s low centre.

Bass made a full-stretch diving save to tip a curling Stokes shot around a post before Kyle Wootton headed over the crossbar as Stockport pressed for a second before half-time.

Barry was a constant threat and the Aston Villa loanee netted his second three minutes after the break, cutting inside from the left and firing low into the bottom corner.

Kyrell Lisbie missed a golden chance to restore parity six minutes later when the ball broke fortuitously into his path, but the attacker’s close-range shot was kept out by Corey Addai.

Barry completed his hat-trick after 64 minutes with a carbon copy finish, receiving the ball on the left before driving inside and rifling the ball low past Bass to add the gloss to a fine Stockport win.