Posh slipped to a 3-1 defeat at play-off hopefuls Reading on Saturday afternoon in Sky Bet League One action.
Football is mostly won and lost in both boxes. The 3-1 defeat to Reading was a perfect example of this as Peterborough United were beaten for the first time in nine games by a side that took their chances when they arrived and looked on as Darren Ferguson's men missed a number of presentable chances at the other end.
Sprinkle in a rather crazy non-award of a penalty kick when Ricky-Jade Jones was pushed in the box and you can concoct a recipe as to why Posh left Berkshire empty handed.
That decision by the referee not to award a spot-kick was even more crucial as Reading netted their third goal of the game less than 60 seconds later. Manager Darren Ferguson said in the post-match press conference that the assistant referee had told the referee it was a penalty, but was overruled by the man in the middle.
The home side did start the game very well and opened the scoring inside six minutes as Chem CAMPBELL appeared to get the final touch to a low cross.
Jed Steer dept out Camara moments later as he beat the Posh offside trap before Posh carved out a glorious chance to equalise as Mothersille found Odoh at the back post, but he somehow sliced his shot wide from three yards.
Mahamadou Susoho had the ball in the back of the net on 32 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside.
Reading doubled their lead on 57 minutes as KNIBBS appeared to get the final touch to a looping header at the back post.
On 59 minutes, came the contentious penalty incident as Jones was pushed in the box, but the referee waved play on and moments later, SAVAGE made it 3-0.
On 65 minutes, POKU did reduce the arrears as he beat the keeper with his left-foot after good work from Odoh down the left.
Jones was then denied by Pereira after racing clear while Steer kept out Yiadom at the other end with a fine save.
Steer kept out a Savage volley with his legs on 79 minutes before Mothersille was denied by the hosts keeper.
On 85 minutes, Hughes glanced a header inches wide following good work from Carl Johnston while Kyprianou and Jones both had half-chances as Posh pushed.
Reading: Pereira, Abrefa, Knibbs (sub Carroll 88min), Savage (sub Holzman 88min), Ehibhatiomhan (sub Akande 77min), Rushesha, Yiadom, Campbell (sub Bodin 88min), Camara (sub Wareham 61min), Wing, Stickland. Unused subs: Button, Kanu.
Posh: Steer, Collins (sub Kyprianou 68min), Mothersille, Odoh (sub Hayes 68min), Poku, Edun, Jones, Susoho (sub De Havilland 73min), Hughes, Dornelly (sub Johnston 68min), Fernandez (sub Katongo 68min). Unused subs: Bilokapic, Lindgren.
Half-time: Reading 1-0 Peterborough United
Full-time: Reading 3-1 Peterborough United
Attendance: 12,108 (696 Posh fans)
Referee: Adam Herczeg