WIN SHOWS PROMOTION POSH IS ON!
APERFORMANCE which wins promotion was Graham Westley’s verdict on a gritty Peterborough United victory as he praised the character shown by his young players.
Free-flowing Posh showed the other side of their game to see off spirited Fleetwood with Jermaine Anderson heading in the winner.
Peterborough had taken the lead thanks to Souleymane Coulibaly before David Ball capped off a well-worked equaliser, and the determination to see off a late Fleetwood onslaught was very pleasing for Westley.
“We knew at times we would have to be patient, work it out from the back and draw them out, but first half we were not clinical,” said the Peterborough boss.
“Second half we got after the game, got one-nil up, then they showed the complacency young players show.
“Then it’s a question of character, and we showed the character it takes to win games and win promotion.
“It was bodies on the line, backs against the wall and it was a very good three points.”
On Anderson, who scored his third goal in as many matches, Westley added: “He was not at his best out there, but he’s a fantastic player and he’s learned the other side of the game.”
Peterborough squandered several shots at goal but the visitors should have scored when an unmarked Antoni Sarcevic curled over.That was a miss which proved costly as Coulibaly got on the end of Callum Elder’s left-wing cross less than 90 seconds after coming on.
Fleetwood responded through their own substitute in Ball after a nice touch into his path from another replacement in Tariqe Fosu.
Anderson then grabbed the winner, beating the visitors’ defence to head in Michael Smith’s right-wing cross, but Posh were grateful to goalkeeper Ben Alnwick who tipped a fierce shot by Fleetwood debutant David Henen onto the bar.
The Cod Army remain in the relegation places and manager Steven Pressley bemoaned two goals conceded from crosses.
He said: “When the ball comes in the box defenders have to do their jobs and do their bread and butter. They didn’t and it’s cost us.
“First half I didn’t think we played with belief.We conceded too many turnovers when we looked comfortable in possession.
“Second half we were excellent and far more like ourselves. We created some unbelievable chances. It was a real spectacle and a real advert for the league.
“I’ve said to the players we are a good team and to believe in ourselves more and turn these performances into victories
“We should take a lot of confidence from the second half.”