The spice Posh need
By IAN BAKER at the Weston Homes Stadium
DARREN FERGUSON insists there is still fight in his Peterborough side – and this battling victory, which puts them in the fifth round for the first time in 36 years, proves it.
The Posh boss has suffered a season of bitter disappointment after their poor showing in the Championship.
They rode their luck against QPR but goals from Joe Ward and young sub RickyJade Jones sent them to a moraleboosting win.
Ferguson said: “It’s great to be in the fifth round. I said in the team talk before the game we have to start showing people what we’re about as a group.
“We’re better than what we’re showing at the moment and today it was a determined victory.
“It shows we’ve still got fight in us – no matter if it’s the Cup or the League.”
QPR have not reached the last eight since 1995, but should have won here.
Ilias Chair was denied by Steven Benda early on while Charlie Austin volleyed over from Chair’s wellworked corner. However Peterborough took the lead against the run of play as the impressive Jeando Fuchs’ effort deflected into the path of Ward who finished well.
Posh struck again on 72 minutes as Jones pounced on Bali Mumba’s pass and finished emphatically.
Rangers boss Mark Warburton said: “Had we turned up with a poor attitude, sloppy on the ball and a lack of desire then you would have every right to rage but I thought we just didn’t get our rewards.
“We never disrespect the FA Cup. It’s the best in the world, magnificent.” PETERBOROUGH: Benda 6; Kent 7, Edwards 7, Beevers 7; Ward 7
(Coulson 65, 6), Fuchs 7, Norburn 7, Poku 6 (Brown 57, 6), Mumba 7 (Thompson 90); Clarke-Harris 5 (Szmodics 46, 7), Marriott 5 (Jones 65, 7). Subs not used: Thompson, Grant, Knight, Cornell, Randall.
QPR: Marshall 6; Sanderson 6, Dickie 6, Dunne 6; Odubajo 7, Johansen 7 (Dozzell 62, 5), Amos 7 (Hendrick 46, 6), Chair 7 (Thomas 62, 6), Wallace 6 (Adomah 46, 6); Dykes 5, Austin 5.
Subs not used: Kakay, Barbet, Ball, Walsh.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jeandro Fuchs. Recent signing from Dundee United was impressive in Posh’s midfield with several brave tackles. REFEREE: David Webb 5.