Ten-men Posh held on to secure victory over Wigan Athletic in the Professional Development League on Saturday morning.
Cole Simms put the Wigan ahead early in the first half, but a whirlwind six-minutes saw Posh rally to a commanding lead at the break thanks to goals from Joe Davies, Lucca Mendonca and Bolu Shofowoke.
The visitors pushed after the break and found one back when Harrison Bettoni fired home shortly after Trialist A’s dismissal – but this would soon prove to serve as consolation on their travels South.
Captain Andre Changunda returned to the starting line-up in Posh’s only change from the squad which set out in South Yorkshire last time out.
Jimmy Unwin’s side made an assertive start, and Jake Spaven was lucky to survive an early attempt from Joe Davies who struck wide inside three minutes.
Posh failed to make the pressure count and were punished by the visitors who took the lead with 19 minutes on the clock. SIMMS pounced on Harrison Rimmer’s flick-on from a set-piece which left the front man with a simple headed finish.
DAVIES restored parity on half-hour when the number seven elected to take aim from distance, picking out the bottom corner in the process.
Three minutes later and it was Posh who found the back of the net once more, this time MENDONCA was on hand to nod home a delivery to the back post.
The whirlwind spell continued on 40 minutes when SHOFOWOKE burst in behind the visitor’s backline and placed the ball into the bottom corner.
Posh were reduced to ten-men shortly after the break when Simms’ attempt to round Trialist A was thwarted the man in net, who hauled down his opponent.
Ignas Sakalas would be called into action and within seconds of his introduction, BETTONI arrowed the resulting set-piece into the far corner.
Christy Edwards’ strike on 64 minutes was well-stopped by Sakalas, who would then be forced into action minutes later to deny Simms his second of the afternoon.
Posh would come inches away from a fourth late on as Davies sliced wide with 10 minutes left to play.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the match petered out with few opportunities and Posh held on to claim all three points in PE2.
Posh: Trialist A, Freeman, Claxton, Mendonca, Gbajumo, Unwin, Fox, Changunda (sub Sakalas 57min), Sykut (sub Fitzpatrick 85min), Davies, Shofowoke (sub McWilliams-Marcano 88min). Unused subs: Gilbert, Holley.
Half-Time: Posh Under 18s 3-1 Wigan Athletic Under 18s
Full-Time: Posh Under 18s 3-2 Wigan Athletic Under 18s