Jack Marriott scored a late winner as Posh came from behind to beat play-off hopefuls Blackburn Rovers.
On the day when manager Grant McCann was celebrating his birthday, it was down to striker Jack Marriott to provide the perfect present as his late goal secured a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at the Weston Homes Stadium.
Ben Brereton-Diaz, the Chile sensation, hooked a shot over the crossbar on two minutes after a well-worked corner from the visitors was only half cleared. At the other end, Harrison Burrows dragged a left-foot shot wide of the near post after Blackburn’s attempts to mount a counter attack were thwarted.
Dai Cornell made a very sharp stop to keep out a powerful drive from Sam Gallagher on seven minutes with the rebound from Brereton-Diaz deflected over. Kaminski was alert to smother a half-volley from Sammie Szmodics on 10 minutes after a deflection spun into the former Colchester United man’s direction.
Kwame Poku saw a right-footed effort parried by Kaminski on the quarter-hour mark after a clever back-heel from skipper Clarke-Harris. Tayo Edun was cautioned for a cynical trip on Josh Knight on 22 minutes by referee Chris Kavanagh.
Burrows saw a left-foot drive from the edge of the box gathered by Kaminski moments later. Brereton-Diaz had the ball in the back of the net on 31 minutes from a looping header, but the referee spotted a quite blatant push in the back of Knight.
Szmodics dragged a shot wide on 34 minutes after nipping in to take advantage of a partial block from Wharton after a low centre by Jones. Kaminski produced a superb one-handed tip over to keep out a Clarke-Harris shot two minutes later after excellent approach play from Fuchs, Burrows and Jones.
The visitors were reduced to 10-men on 41 minutes as Edun was shown a second yellow card for a foul. Tony Mowbray’s men made a change at the interval with Bradley Dack replacing Sam Gallagher. Kaminski was well placed to keep out a Jones effort after a good run from Kent as the game approached the hour mark.
Grant McCann made a change moments later with Jack Marriott replacing Jones in attack. Marriott tested Kaminski with a fierce drive at this near post which the keeper did well to beat away from danger. Randall drilled a low shot at goal from 28-yards on 74 minutes, but Kaminski dealt with the threat comfortably.
Blackburn opened the scoring less than 60 seconds later as BRERETON-DIAZ rifled a low effort past Cornell and into the back of the net. On 82 minutes, Posh drew themselves level as a flick from Burrows picked out SZMODICS and he calmly stroked the ball into the bottom corner.
With three minutes to play, Posh got their noses in front and it was a stunning strike from Jack MARRIOTT, who rifled home with his left-foot past Kaminski and into the back of the net.
Posh: Cornell, Edwards, Kent, Szmodics, Taylor, Clarke-Harris, Knight, Poku (sub Brown 89min), Burrows, Jones (sub Marriott 62min), Fuchs (sub Randall 72min). Unused subs: Blackmore, Beevers, Grant, Coulson.
Blackburn: Kaminski, Nyambe (sub Johnson 42min) Gallagher (sub Dack 46min), Wharton, Edun, Buckley (sub Dolan 70min), Brereton-Diaz, Van Hecke, Lenihan, Travis, Giles. Unused subs: Pears, Pickering, Ayala, Hedges.
Half-time: Peterborough United 0-0 Blackburn Rovers
Full-time: Peterborough United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
Attendance: 9,426 (1,528 Blackburn Rovers fans)
Referee: Chris Kavanagh