Defender Emmanuel Fernandez netted a hat-trick as the Posh Under 21s beat Hull City 3-1 on Tuesday afternoon.

He may be currently suspended for Sky Bet League One action, but defender Emmanuel Fernandez made the most of his appearance for the Under 21s on Tuesday by netting a hat-trick of headers as Ryan Semple's men recorded a 3-1 victory over Hull City. 

Fernandez was part of a strong Under 21 group that included Ryan De Havilland, Will Blackmore, James Dornelly and Bradley Ihionvien.

It was a competitive encounter at the idverde Training Ground, settled by three set-pieces delivered into the box by Harley Mills.

Posh led through a FERNANDEZ header but were pegged back by the Tigers before FERNANDEZ put the hosts back in front of the final quarter and then FERNANDEZ settled it with a third - a second in as many minutes - to secure all three points. All three of the goals were headers by the centre back. 

Lead Professional Development Phase Lead Coach (U21s) Ryan Semple said: "We said before the game that the key to success in this game was to be dominant in both boxes and certainly we did that in spells culminating with Manny getting his three goals from wonderful balls into the box by Harley.

"I felt that we probably could have made the game more comfortable, we just lacked that little bit in the final third because we got into some really good positions.

"We were aggressive when we got the press right in terms of our defending, it forced Hull to go long and to be fair the back four and Will Blackmore behind them, were able to sweep that up comfortably. 

"Set-pieces are obviously a really important part of the game, Harley took five and put in five really good dead-ball situations into the box and when you have someone like Manny, who wants to go and attack the ball, you know that you cause the opposition problems. 

"I felt overall, in large spells we were the better side, we didn't always get it right, but particularly in the second half, I felt we were in control of the game and it was good to get the three points."

Posh: Blackmore, Dornelly, Mills, Young, Fernandez, Nevett, De Havilland, Davies, Ihionvien, O'Brien-Brady, Changunda. Subs: Osagie, Smith, Campbell, Sykut, Shofowoke.