The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Posh didn't play like their season was on the line
So much for the theory that teams with nothing to play for make the best opponents for promotion-chasers.
Bristol Rovers arrived at London Road out of form and shy of full strength, but they battled and wasted time as though their lives depended on it, writes Alan Swann.
Having a professional irritant like Joey Barton in charge probably guarantees that and his side kept Posh at arms’ length pretty comfortably which was rather disappointing given how much was at stake for Darren Ferguson’s men.
It might have all panned out differently had Posh scored in their best spell of the match in an opening 10 minutes played out exclusively close to the visiting penalty area.
But despite balls constantly entering the penalty area Posh failed to worry slow-moving goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe.
Indeed his only tricky save of the entire contest arrived 10 minutes before the break when he did well to keep out a 25-yard piledriver from Jonson Clarke-Harris.
Posh passed the ball too slowly and negatively before the break and then, urged on by an impressively vocal home crowd, became too frantic in the second-half.
Promising positions were wasted by delayed shots, rushed shots, poor decisionmaking and weak crosses much to the frustration of Ferguson and the fans.
Jack Taylor’s drive into the penalty area and shot was ruined by a fine defensive block, while ClarkeHarris was guilty of placing two headers from left-wing crosses wide of the target.
Posh gambled on victory by making attacking substitutes which also meant Rovers had a chance on the break, but they too were largely gormless in possession.
Only when the surprise winner of the League One player-of-the-year prize Aaron Collins let fly from 25 yards 12 minutes from time was Posh ‘keeper Will Norris called into action and he was up to the task to at least extend the season into the final day.
MATCH FACTS Posh cautions:
Norburn, Taylor, Butler. Attendance: 9,494 (515 Rovers)