Shrimpers Condemn Posh To Defeat
Peterborough United were beaten 2-1 by Southend United at Roots Hall as the Shrimpers recorded their first win of the Sky Bet League One campaign.Posh had two efforts cleared off the line and hit the woodwork, but the hosts squandered a host of opportunities in front of goal themselves.
Jon Taylor saw an early corner kick cleared by the far post by Michael Timlin as goalkeeper Bentley flapped at the set-piece.
David Mooney then squandered a fine chance to break the deadlock on 12 minutes after a deep centre, the former Leyton Orient man heading over from eight yards.
Alnwick did well to save with his legs on 16 minutes as a long ball picked out Mooney in space down the left hand channel.
Mooney headed over on 23 minutes following a right-wing centre after Maddison had squandered a presentable opportunity to shoot at the other end.
A strong run from Taylor down the right hand side saw him advance into the box, but he fired into the side-netting from an acute angle.
The Shrimpers opened the scoring on 31 minutes as Adam BARRETT finished from close-range after Hunt's shot had been blocked and rebounded into the path of the central defender.
Timlin was denied by Alnwick as Posh struggled to contain the hosts who were buoyed by that opening goal.
Maddison fired over from long-range while Elder's cross was deflected just away from danger as Posh tried to respond.
On the stroke of half-time, Maddison forced a save out of Bentley as the goalkeeper scooped his 25-yarder away from danger.
Posh boss Dave Robertson made a change at the break with Jack Collison replacing Washington - Maddison pushed up front.
Posh were inches away from an equaliser on 52 minutes as Michael Bostwick's deflected effort from the edge of the box crashed into the crossbar before bouncing to safety.
Alnwick produced a fine stop to deny Hunt on 57 minutes and from the resulting corner kick, Barrett was afforded a free header, but the centre back planted his effort wide.
Collison saw a curler cleared off the line by Coker just after the hour mark as Posh came close to finding an equaliser.
Hunt was denied at point blank range by the inspired Alnwick moments later as the Shrimpers came close to making it 2-0.
Souleymane Coulibaly replaced Gormley in attack on 64 minutes as Posh made another switch.
It was 2-0 on 69 minutes as Noel HUNT glanced home an in-swinging free-kick past Alnwick and into the back of the net.
Mooney missed another glorious headed opportunity to make it 3-0 on 75 minutes as Southend continued to dominate.
On 82 minutes, Kyle Vassell replaced Davey as Posh pushed another player into attack. Posh grabbed a consolation goal in stoppage time as Marcus MADDISON fired low past Bentley at his near post.
Southend: Bentley, White, Coker, Wordsworth, Worrall (sub McLoughlin 86min), Timlin, Mooney (sub O'Neil 90min), Hunt (sub Pigott 84min), Leonard, Rea, Barrett. Unused subs: Smith, Prosser, Payne, Deegan.
Posh: Alnwick, Smith, Taylor, Bostwick, Maddison, Almeida Santos, Washington (sub Collison 46min), Davey (sub Vassell 82min), Gormley (sub Coulibaly 64min) Elder, Forester. Unused subs: Henry, Brisley, Beautyman, H. Anderson.
Half-time: Southend United 1-0 Peterborough United
Full-time: Southend United 2-1 Peterborough United
Attendance: 5,299 (449 Posh fans)