Three and easy for Posh on own turf
PETERBOROUGH may hold a seven-point lead for the final play-off spot after victory over Coventry, but Darren Ferguson insists they are taking nothing for granted.
Kgosi Ntlhe’s third goal of the season proved to be the difference as Coventry were left to rue a series of missed opportunities.
Peterborough have now won their last three home games with clean sheets in all and Ferguson believes Posh’s confidence at home will be crucial should they secure sixth place.
“For the first 30 minutes I thought we were outstanding,” Ferguson said.“Our tempo and our energy was very good and it was a pity we couldn’t get another goal to make things more comfortable.
“It’s all about winning games at this time in the season. I don’t think we’ve ground out enough wins and we have managed to do so against a good team.
“We’ve put ourselves in a good position with four games to go. We’re not there yet and we’re not taking anything for granted but the key now is to take this momentum and confidence into the play-offs if we get there.”
Peterborough flew out of the traps and were ahead inside six minutes, Ntlhe heading home Danny Swanson’s corner.
Posh’s pace and movement were causing the Coventry defence numerous problems and Jack Payne sent a dipping 25- yard volley narrowly wide. But the visitors grew into the game with Nathan Eccleston forcing Bobby Olejnik into a smart save before Cyrus Christie headed wide from six yards from Mark Marshall’s free-kick.
Eccleston missed a glorious chance to equalise on 55 minutes when he blasted wide from ten yards while, at the other end, Joe Murphy tipped Josh McQuoid’s curling shot wide.
Callum Wilson almost snatched an equaliser with 15 minutes remaining following hesitation by Olejnik but Posh’s defence recovered.
And Coventry boss Steven Pressley felt his side had been deserving of at least a point.
“I’m struggling to figure out how we didn’t get something from the game,” Pressley said.
“They scored early on and I think our confidence took a dent from that. After 20 minutes we started to get control of the game and for the remainder of the half we were very much the dominant force and second half we penned them in.
“We had three or four unbelievable chances to get a goal and unfortunately we couldn’t do so.
“I’ve seen a lot of good signs for 70 minutes. Over the entire game, Joe Murphy has one save to make in the second half.”