JACKSON’S ON THE DEFENSIVE
CONOR Washington’s double helped Peterborough shove Shrewsbury through the League One trapdoor and cement their own place in the play-offs to leave Shrews boss Michael Jackson to ponder his own future.
Shrews striker Jon Taylor had breathed new life into his side’s faint hopes of survival with the opener before Washington scored twice in quick succession to turn the game on its head.
Lloyd Isgrove added a third but Tom Bradshaw clawed one back only for Josh McQuoid to make the game safe to leave Jackson fielding questions on his future after vowing to try and rebuild the Shropshire side.
“We are devastated,” Jackson said. “We knew it would be a tall order and we showed some spirit and some fight. But all the players have to take some responsibility for what has happened.
“This club has an opportunity now to move forward. We have to build for the future. This season has been difficult for everyone but we have the responsibility of developing the club.
“If I stay or not will come out in the next couple of weeks. Now isn’t the time to talk about that.This was the first relegation battle of my career and we need to get over the disappointment.”
Shrewsbury almost stole a first minute lead when Bobby Olejnik tipped Aaron Wildig’s chip over the bar.
But the Shrews did go in front when Taylor headed in Joe Jacobson’s sixth minute cross following a sweeping Town move.
United should have equalised after Britt Assombalonga drew Chris Weale off his line, but Shrewsbury defenders scrambled the ball away after Washington and Nicky Ajose both spurned chances score.
Washington volleyed the ball home soon after though, pulling Posh level on 13 minutes before providing an emphatic finish from Tommy Rowe’s threaded pass put Peterborough ahead eight minutes later. Isgrove made it three after Washington had hit the bar following more good work from Ajose on 28 minutes.
But Shrewsbury clawed one back when Bradshaw’s attempt bobbled into the far corner from Ryan Woods’ cross just before the break.
They nearly restored parity when Tom Eaves forced a onehanded stop out of Olejnik ten minutes into the second-half.
Weale’s stunning penalty save denied Assombalonga after Wash- ington had been felled by Dave Winfield at the other end. But McQuoid made the game safe for United in the final minute, curling the ball into the corner to seal Shrewsbury’s fate.
Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson said: “It was a job well done. We made a poor start but from that point on we were outstanding.
“We scored four goals and it could have been ten to be honest with you.
“Our football was really good and we looked really confident. We did let Shrewsbury back in it and they gave us a hard game. But we were creating chances.”