Mackail-Smith Nets 100th Goal But Posh Defeated
Peterborough United suffered their third defeat in a row as Oxford United recorded a 2-1 victory at the ABAX Stadium with Craig Mackail-Smith netting his 100th goal for the club late on.Mackail-Smith fired into the bottom corner, but it was not enough for Grant McCann's men who were thwarted by excellent goalkeeping and poor finishing on an afternoon of frustration.
The visitors forced goalkeeper Luke McGee into saves in the first period, the Posh shot-stopper denying Kane Hemmings and Chris Maguire while Leonardo Da Silva Lopes was denied by a superb Eastwood stop.
Tafazolli produced a fine tackle to deny Maguire but from the resulting set-piece, Phil EDWARDS powered home a header past McGee, who could only get a hand to the effort.
Hall fired wide of the near post before Posh were forced into a change as Michael Smith limped out of the action to be replaced by Harry Anderson.
McAleny was fortunate to escape with just a caution after slamming Baldwin to the floor before he was denied by McGee from close-range.
McGee denied Ledson moments after the re-start before Nichols fired over at the other end after finding some space in the right channel.
Forrester saw a left-footed effort tipped over from 25-yards by Eastwood before Mackail-Smith saw a shot blocked with Hughes looping the rebound over the bar.
Hall and Johnson both went close for Michael Appleton's men before Taylor whistled a volley wide of the target. McALENY then made it 2-0 to the visitors with a simple finish after good work from Maguire.
Immediately from the re-start, Hughes crashed a header against the underside of the crossbar and post before Bostwick powered a header wide.
Da Silva was shown a second yellow card and ultimately a red card as the game entered the final 10 minutes.
MACKAIL-SMITH was denied his 100th goal by a stupendous save from Eastwood from close-range but moments later he was not to be denied, a crisp finish into the bottom corner from the striker - not the way he imagined his 100th goal, but a great moment for the front man.
Posh: McGee, Smith (sub Anderson 23min), Baldwin (sub Inman 67min), Bostwick, Tafazolli, Hughes, Forrester, Da Silva Lopes, Taylor, Nichols (sub Morias 67min), Mackail-Smith. Unused subs: Tyler, Samuelsen, Grant, Binnom-Williams.
Oxford: Eastwood, Lundstram, Nelson, Maguire, McAlney, Hemmings (sub Martinez 70min), Edwards, Hall (sub Sercombe 70min), Ledson, Johnson, Dunkley. Unused subs: Stevens, Ribeiro, Skarz, Ruffells, Rothwell.
Half-time: Peterborough United 0-1 Oxford United
Full-time: Peterborough United 1-2 Oxford United
Attendance: 5,469 (1,130 Oxford fans)