Herioc Posh Hold On
Peterborough United produced a stunning defensive display to cling on to three points from a spicy battle with Milton Keynes Dons with the home side reduced to nine-men.Luke Chadwick lifted the first effort of the game over the crossbar for the visitors and moments later they were given a numerical advantage as Nathaniel Knight-Percival was shown a straight red card after tangling with Patrick Bamford.
However, it was Posh who opened the scoring as a superb Danny Swanson run was cut short by Williams and Lee TOMLIN stepped up to convert from the penalty spot, great bottle after missing a spot-kick at Ashton Gate last week.
Jon Otsemobor headed a Shaun Williams free-kick wide of the target as the feisty start to this game continued. It was 2-0 to Posh less than 6-0 seconds after Bobby Olejnik had produced a stunning point blank save to deny Stephen Gleeson.
It was a long ball forward, flicked on by Barnett and Britt ASSOMBALONGA made no mistake, drilling the ball low past goalkeeper Martin to put Darren Ferguson's men two goals to the good.
Olejnik denied a close-range effort from Bamford on 36 minutes as MK came close to reducing the arrears. Gleeson's free-kick was parried by goalkeeper Olejnik with Bostwick doing well to shield the ball on the rebound.
Chadwick saw a powerful curler tipped over by Olejnik as MK Dons ended the first half on top. On the stroke of half-time, Tomlin was booked for diving by referee Mr Drysdale after the front man had burst between two defenders.
Darren Ferguson made a change at the break with Lee Tomlin, who was cautioned just before the break, was replaced by Gabriel Zakuani. Izale McLeod came on for the visitors.
Olejnik pushed a deflected Baldock effort onto the inside of the post as the visitors made a bright start to the second period. Gleeson fired over from the edge of the box after patient play from the Dons.
Assombalonga fired over with his left-foot after an excellent run and cross from Alcock. Olejnik beat away a fizzing drive from Bamford as MK piled on the pressure.
Grant McCann replaced Swanson on 67 minutes as Posh tried to stem the tide of attacks from the Dons. On 75 minutes, Posh were reduced to nine men as Little was given his marching orders for a two footed challenge.
The visitors pulled a goal back on 73 minutes as a looping header from Bamford was saved by Olejnik but substitute MCLEOD was on hand to prod over the line to reduce the arrears.
Smith then saw an effort crash against the upright on 77 minutes before Olejnik produced a stunning save to deny an acrobatic effort from Bamford.
Final Score: Posh 2-1 Milton Keynes Dons
Posh: Olejnik, Alcock, Bostwick, Swanson (sub McCann 67min), Payne, Tomlin (sub Zakuani 46min), Assombalonga, Rowe, Knight-Percival, Barnett (sub Nthle 80min), Little. Unused subs: Day, Newell, Mendez-Laing, Gordon.
MK Dons: Martin, Otsemobor, Lewington, Williams, Gleeson, Potter, Chadwick (sub Smith 61min), Bamford, Carruthers (sub Baldock 34min), Green (sub McLeod 46min), Kay. Unused subs: McLoughlin, Hodson, Alli, Banton.
Attendance: 8,149 (874 from MK Dons)