Posh were always in command en-route to a third successive League Two victory, and Darren Ferguson's close-passing side seems to have struck a rich vein of form at just the right time. The Dons were under the cosh from the start and after only three minutes Craig Mackail-Smith sent an overhead shot smacking against an upright. And from the rebound Ben Futcher saw a close-range shot scooped to safety by Lee Harper. Dons' keeper Harper then pulled off quick-fire saves from the nippy Mackail-Smith and George Boyd, and it was this Posh pairing who finally unlocked a Dons' defence that had already been re-organised with Jude Stirling on for Jamie Smith. Recent Dagenham capture Mackail-Smith released fellow Conference discovery Boyd and the former Stevenage winger's 25th minute shot was blocked by Harper, who was powerless to stop Peter Gain slotting in the rebound from close-range to claim his fifth goal of the season. Jon-Paul McGovern worked hard in midfield to try and bring the Dons back into the picture but Posh looked solid at the back and a second goal came on 39 minutes. Dons failed to clear a strong right-wing cross by Adam Newton, and Gavin Strachan volleyed into the roof of the net from 12 yards. Dons sparked briefly as the second-half opened but Posh stood firm and made sure with two further goals late on. Mackail-Smith saw a 79th minute 20-yarder squirm beneath the body of Harper, and then turned provider for substitute Richard Butcher to net Posh's fourth five minutes later. The only sour note for Posh was a 70th minute red card for Shane Blackett who needlessly struck Aaron Wilbraham. Dons did press hard near the end, and Izale McLeod's late shot struck both posts before going clear, ensuring a third successive clean sheet for the home side. |
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