LEE IS ON THE SPOT TO PLEASE HIS BOSS
Late Tomlin penalty wins it
THE Posh certainly lacked polish but they still had the explosive power to sneak a priceless victory against Oldham.
Marksman Britt Assombalonga reduced 34 minutes of eye-catching Oldham midfield play to nought by smashing a ferocious daisy cutter past Mark Oxley from fully 25 yards.
The new Posh hero was heavily involved in the crucial second goal seven minutes from time as well when Oxley sent him tumbling and Lee Tomlin netted from the spot.
Charlie MacDonald nodded home for Oldham a minute into added time and James Tarkowski was left hanging his head as he somehow failed to divert home Joseph Mills’ flashing header with the last action of a curious game.
Posh boss Darren Ferguson admitted: “We were nowhere near our best and Oldham were better than us today. We got away it but the main thing you want is three points.
“The front two apart, we weren’t at it. You can carry one or two, but you can’t carry eight and that was what happened. That’s three out of three for Britt (Assombalonga), you can’t really ask for more.
“I thought about taking Craig (Alcock) off at half time as they would have realised they had a tricky winger and a full back on a yellow. But you’d be having five or six-a-side if that was a sending off. We’ve got to cut out
giving away fouls in stupid places. There’s a lot for us to sort out but I’m delighted with four wins in league and cup.”
Oldham took the game to Posh from the start with the skilful James Dayton taking two pot shots inside the opening four minutes. Lee Johnson’s attractive side were ruling the midfield roost with Posh reduced to banging the ball long to relieve the flow.
Adam Rooney arrowed an header towards the top corner from Jose Baxter’s free kick only for Bobby Olejnik to tip over in style.
Craig Alcock went into the book for a foul on Cristian Montano as the visitors continued to impress without really promising a breakthrough.
It was harsh when Jose Baxter’s flick went into no man’s land in the Oldham half and Assombalonga strode forward to almost lifted the roof off London Road with another superb shot.
Dayton clipped a shot over, then was inches wide from the edge of the box straight after the break before another Alcock tackle had Lee Johnson demanding a sending off.
Significiantly Fergie withdrew Alcock in a double substitution after 54 minutes and got his reward when Danny Swanson clipped a ball forward for Assombalonga who was felled nicking the ball clear of Oxley. Lee Tomlin confidently sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from 12 yards.
Posh now looked in complete control for the first time only for Oldham to launch a surprise last stand. Charlie MacDonald netted from last point blank range and home nerves were jangling in a surprisingly frantic finish. Any sort of touch from Tarkowski in the final seconds and Johnson’s men would have got a point.
“There is a wrong way and a right way to lose – that was the right way,” the Oldham manager insisted.“It was a really good performance from us, but a couple of disappointing goals to concede. On another day, we could have won it two or three nil.
“If the referee hadn’t already booked Alcock, he’d have probably given him another yellow card.
“It was disappointing because we’ve given away possession and the goalkeeper feels he should have saved Assombalonga’s shot. We dominated territorially in the second half without threatening to score two or three.
“Charlie MacDonald has got a good goal and how Tarkowski hasn’t scored I don’t know.” To comment on this match go to http://boards.footymad.net/