Emmanuel Fernandez celebrates scoring the winning goal at Exeter City

Emmanuel Fernandez proved the match-winner as his strike on half-time secured a 2-1 win at Exeter City.

Peterborough United made it back to back away wins as goals from Malik Mothersille and Emmanuel Fernandez secured a 2-1 victory against Exeter City at St. James Park – a second successive win that has seen the team come from 1-0 down to secure all three points.

It didn’t start well for Darren Ferguson’s men as the hosts opened the scoring inside three minutes as Reece COLE fired past Jed Steer from just inside the area as Posh struggled to get any distance to their clearances.

The lead didn’t last long though as MOTHERSILLE collected a pass from Abraham Odoh and whilst he didn’t make great contact with his left-foot, the finish found the bottom corner of the net.

On 17 minutes, Posh had a chance to get their noses in front as a Kwame Poku cross was met by Joel Randall, but the former Grecian couldn’t direct his header on target. Alli fired wide at the other end after a pass down the channel caused a few issues before defender Oscar Wallin was booked for a foul by referee Will Finnie.

Poku fired over from distance on the half hour mark while at the other end, Niskanen drilled an effort wide of the target. On the stroke of half-time, Posh got their noses in front and it was FERNANDEZ with it, advancing into the Exeter half before firing past the goalkeeper from the edge of the area.

Steer made a sprawling save to keep out Cole in stoppage time before the first half ended with a shrill of the referee’s whistle. Posh should have been ahead moments into the second half as Wallin and Sparkes combined to create an opportunity for Randall, but he was denied by Whitworth.

Mothersille fired straight at Whitworth after more good work from Poku before Posh were awarded a spot-kick as substitute Ricky-Jade Jones produced a superb example of his pace to win the ball ahead of Whitworth. Archie Collins stepped up from 12-yards, but the keeper atoned and kept out the midfield man from the spot.

On 81 minutes, Jones again caused incredible panic with his pace, collecting the ball from deep and motored down the left before pulling the ball back for Poku who saw his effort repelled by Whitworth. Odoh fired straight at the keeper after good work from substitute Cian Hayes as Posh tried to find a third late on. 

Exeter City: Whitworth, McMillan, Crama, Woods (sub Francis 77min), Aitchison (sub Doyle 62min), Alli, Cole, Niskanen, Yfeko, Sweeney, Magennis (sub Purrington 77min). Unused subs: MacDonald, Borges, Diabate, Fitzwater. 

Posh: Steer, Curtis, Sparkes, Fernandez, Wallin, Kyprianou, Collins, Odoh, Poku, Randall (sub Hayes 78min), Mothersille (sub Jones 67min). Unused subs: Bilokapic, Nevett, O'Brien-Brady, Dornelly, Conn-Clarke.

Half-time: Exeter City 1-2 Peterborough United
Full-time: Exeter City 1-2 Peterborough United
Attendance: 6,343 (506 Posh fans)
Referee: Will Finnie