Perfect Posh are a delight to Grant
PETERBOROUGH boss Grant McCann says his side’s win over rivals MK Dons was the ‘perfect’ away performance.
Andrew Hughes scored his first goal of the season for Posh before Dons defender George Baldcock inadvertently headed into his own net midway through the second half as McCann’s side leapfrogged their opponents in the table to move up to within a point of the play-off places.
“From minute one we were very good,” said the 36-year-old, who transitioned from player to manager in the summer. “We controlled the game and every time we went forward looked like we were going to cause problems.
“It’s two set-plays that have won it for us and we have had numerous chances to score, so it’s probably the perfect away performance for us.
“I was really pleased that we kept the clean sheet. We set ourselves a challenge this week to collect more of them this season so that was really pleasing too.
“It’s been a great day for the whole club and for the new guys to see what this game means to the fans.”
The visitors took little more than a minute to record the opener after Marcus Maddison’s free-kick found Hughes unmarked at the front post, before the former Newport defender poked the visitors in front from inside the six-yard box with a well-taken volley.
It took Karl Robinson’s side almost 30 minutes to record their first meaningful chance through Daniel Powell.
Nicky Maynard had found himself through on goal before slotting the ball across the box for the winger, but the 25-year-old’s shot was superbly saved by veteran Posh keeper Mark Tyler. McCann’s side snatched a second inside 71 minutes despite a brief second-half revival from the hosts.
Baldock’s failed headed clearance proved too powerful for Dons keeper David Martin who couldn’t quite get his gloves to the ball to turn it away from goal.
“If we take the game as a whole they’ve scored from a set-piece and an own goal, but that wasn’t acceptable,” admitted Robinson.
“I don’t think we’ve been outplayed here, we play wonderful stuff and create some great chances but we can’t seem to find the net.
“We got into the final third more than them but we’re just not making things count – we’re nowhere near ruthless enough. We weren’t great, but if I’m being honest I don’t think they were either.”