A stroll in the Shrewsbury sunshine for Fergie’s men

can’t have had an easier afternoon all season than this stroll in the sunshine in Shrewsbury.

Only some failures in and around the home penalty area stopped this becoming the perfect away performance,

writes Alan Swann.

Instead we’ll have to settle for labelling it merely ‘outstanding.’ Three goals away from home, a clean sheet and 68% possession at a time when some teams could be feeling the pressure was proof of Posh superiority from first whistle to last.

It did take a contentious penalty decision for an apparent shove on Ephron Mason-Clark to get Posh in front on the half hour, but after the inevitable conversion from Jonson Clarke-Harris, second-half goals from Mason-Clark and Jack Taylor didn’t flatter Darren Ferguson’s men.

They could easily have doubled their final goals tally. Taylor hit a post early on, home ‘keeper Marko Marosi saved well from Mason-Clark and Poku, and the latter made a right hash of a one-on-one opportunity.

It was never likely to matter against feeble opponents who mustered just one opportunity when Ryan Bowman sneaked into the penalty area before failing to find a way past Posh ‘keeper Will Norris.

Posh have added defensive organisation and strength to their renowned forward firepower, and with Oliver Norburn and Jack Taylor combining superbly in the middle of the park, Posh look to have all bases covered for the final four weeks of the season.

Mason-Clark’s goal was expertly taken and the summer signing from Barnet also played a key role in the final goal by delivering a cross that Marosi could only palm into the path of Taylor.

Taylor had only joined up with the squad on the morning of the match after becomPosh

ing a father for the first time and barely sleeping all week, something he might now have to get used to.

MATCH FACTS Posh goals:

Clarke-Harris (pen, 30 mins), Mason-Clark (52 mins), Taylor (84 mins).

Posh caution: Norris (delaying the restart).

Referee: Carl Boyeson 5. Attendance: 6,930 (801 Posh).

Ricky-Jade Jones in action for Posh at Shrewsbury. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.