Assombalonga Winner Sends Posh Through
Peterborough United moved into the semi-finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after a 1-0 victory over Dagenham and Redbridge at London Road.Britt Assombalonga, fresh from scoring at the weekend, saw a powerful 25-yard shot pushed aside by goalkeeper Chris Lewington as Posh made a decent start to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy quarter-final at London Road.
Youngster Kgosi Ntlhe then saw a shot cleared off the line by Saah after excellent work from Mark Little. Danny Swanson saw a fierce 25-yard drive go over the crossbar on the quarter-hour mark after another patient build-up from the hosts.
A curler from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was plucked out of the sky by Lewington on 32 minutes. A low cross-shot from Little just missed the onrushing Assombalonga on 35 minutes as Posh continued to create the opportunities in front of goal.
McCann was next to test Lewington from range but again the Daggers shot-stopper was equal to the task. On the stroke of half-time, a powerful free-kick from Grant McCann was superbly tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Lewington.
Michael Bostwick was the first Posh player to go into the referee's book moments into the second period. Alcock and Bostwick both saw shots blocked following a half-cleared corner before Shaun Brisley's shot on the spin went wide of the near post.
The deadlock was broken on 56 minutes and it came moments after Ogogo should have done better with a header for the visitors, he powered his effort over the top and within 60 seconds, Posh were in front. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing with the assist, his low cross turned in by Britt ASSOMBALONGA for his second goal in as many games.
Swanson fired wide from long-range on the hour mark after good work from the front two in holding the ball up under severe pressure. Ephraim was next to try his luck, but his speculative volley went wide of the target.
Mendez-Laing tested Lewington at the near post with a swerving shot on 65 minutes. Tyrone Barnett replaced Ephraim on 79 minutes in the first Posh change of the evening.
Goalscorer Assombalonga was withdrawn with five minutes to play, Shaun Jeffers his replacement while youngster Tom Conlon replaced Mendez-Laing.
Final Score: Posh 1-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
Posh: Olejnik, Brisley, Bostwick, Ntlhe, Little, Alcock, McCann, Ephraim (sub Barnett 79min), Swanson, Assombalonga (sub Jeffers 85min), Mendez-laing (sub Conlon 85min). Unused subs: Day, Duggan.
Dagenham: Lewington, Wilkinson, Ilesanmi, Saah, Bingham, Elito, Ogogo (sub Howell 84min), Obafemi (sub Scott 70min), Dickson, Hoyte, Hines. Unused subs: Seabright, Shields, Connors.
Attendance: 4,830 (102 Dagenham fans)