Posh boss 'expected tough game' from Wigan Athletic

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson admitted Wigan Athletic gave his League One leaders 'as tough a game as I expected' at London Road.
Callum Lang battles hard against PeterboroughCallum Lang battles hard against Peterborough
Callum Lang battles hard against Peterborough

Latics entered the last 10 minutes in front, thanks to substitute Thelo Aasgaard's goal direct from a corner just after the midway point in the second period.

But two goals in the space of three minutes from Jonson Clarke-Harris - the second one a penalty - saw Posh sneak home to continue their recent purple patch.

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“It was as tough a game as I expected," acknowledged Ferguson.

"Wigan are fighting for their lives. They were not going to turn up and give us the points.

“This was a fantastic win. We let ourselves get frustrated in the first-half when we were far too frantic.

"We were better in the second-half but, when we conceded a fluke goal, it looked like a tough game to win.

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“But credit my players as they found a way again. That’s seven games now when we have come from behind to win.

"To score twice in the last 10 minutes shows the character and attitude of the players, and you need that to be successful."

Wigan boss Leam Richardson felt referee Thomas Bramall indulged the Posh players too much with their theatrics, including the match-winning penalty, after Siriki Dembele came into contact with Tendayi Darikwa.

Ferguson, though, felt the official showed too much leniency to Wigan, who picked up only one yellow card - to left-back Luke Robinson.

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"There was too much moaning at a referee, including from me, who let them commit 17 first-half fouls without issuing a caution," he said.

"I had to tell the players to stay calm and assume he was going to give us nothing, and they responded well to be fair.

“You can over-analyse the game, but in the end one piece of quality and a determination not to get beaten was enough.

“The subs won this game for us. I had to gamble when we fell behind so we played three defenders and pushed two wing-backs high up the pitch.

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"And Mo Eisa and Harrison Burrows played a lovely one-two, before Harrison sent over a cross so perfect Jonson couldn’t miss.

"Then Dembele does what he does. He beat his man and was tripped up for a clear penalty."

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