Marriott gamble pays off for Evans

STEVE Evans admits he may have upset some Peterborough board members by playing star striker Jack Marriott who could be sold for millions of pounds in the summer.

Then again, Marriott may have added another couple of million to his price tag with a deft lob for his 33rd goal of the season to give Posh the lead, before George Cooper’s first-time finish sealed the points.

The win ended a fourmatch losing streak which had ruined Posh’s play-off chances.

Evans said the Peterborough board had hinted not to play Marriott against Fleetwood, who are now mathematically safe from relegation after other results went their way.

He added: “Jack is a special talent when the ball is in the box.

“I want him back here next season but I understand and respect the way football works.

“The chairman and board will decide what is right for Jack and this club.

“It was a big decision to play him as there are so many clubs chasing him.

“One or two people above me were probably not too happy about it.

“I have three or four managers talking to me and their intent is to try and do something.”

Marriott was taken off a few seconds from the end to a standing ovation after scoring his now trademark lob from inside the area following a sustained spell of Peterborough pressure.

Marriott also had a shot saved by the legs of visiting goalkeeper Chris Neal in the firsthalf while dominant Posh hit the bar three times from 25-yard efforts by Anthony Grant and Gwion Edwards, and from a corner which hit Fleetwood defender Ashley Eastham.

The woodwork was hit again late on from a curling effort by Fleetwood’s Lewie Coyle.

The home fans also gave a standing ovation to Marcus Maddison with many expecting him to go to a club in a higher division this summer.

Fleetwood first team coach Barry Nicholson said: “We are disappointed with the result and the performance. Second half especially, but when John (Sheridan, the manager) came in the main priority was to stay in the league and we have.

“It's nice to be mathematically safe and we rebuild again next year.

“They opened up second-half and when they got the goal we needed to play up the pitch to get back in the game.

“First half we had large spells on the ball but chose the wrong option and the final ball let us down.”