It’s three wins from three League One matches for Peterborough United, but they survived an almighty late scare before securing the points against Oldham at London Road today (August 17).
A superb goal from Britt Assombalonga and a penalty from Lee Tomlin saw Posh 2-0 in front with 10 minutes to go despite a patchy display in a conditions made difficult by a swirling wind.
But Oldham substitute Charlie MacDonald pulled a goal back in injury time and the visitors really should have equalised from a 95th minute corner, but James Tarkowski somehow managed to miss the ball with the goal at his mercy after Joseph Mills had flicked the set-piece on.
An equaliser would have been hard to stomach, but it would also have been hard to deny justice had been served. Oldham were the better side until falling behind and their pressing of the ball and willingness to flood midfield with willing runners exposed some Posh shortcomings.
Darren Ferguson named an unchanged side for the fourth match in succession, but familiarity didn’t breed fluency in the first-half. The visitors were better in possession and Adam Rooney was soon forcing Posh ‘keeper Bobby Olejnik into a smart save with a header from a free-kick. Oldham also wasted a great three-on-one opportunity before Posh struck with a bolt from the blue.
There appeared little danger 11 minutes before the break when Britt Assombalonga won possession 30 yards from goal, but he turned quickly and unleashed a great strike which sent the ball arrowing into the bottom corner.
The goal – a third in three League One matches for the club’s record signing – livened up the crowd if not his team-mates. Posh rarely strung any meaningful moves together, although after the break they rarely looked like conceding.
Posh delivered their best spell of the match in the final 10 minutes as Lee Tomlin and Tommy Rowe exerted an influence on proceedings for the first time all afternoon. One thrilling burst from Tomlin ended with the transfer-seeking forward firing just wide from the edge of the penalty area and another powerful spurt and shot was thwarted by the heel of a defender.
Tyrone Barnett also saw a header from a Kgosi Ntlhe long throw tipped over the bar by Mark Oxley, but the Oldham ‘keeper was less impressive when hauling Assombalonga down to concede a blatant penalty six minutes from time,
Substitute Danny Swanson’s pass set Assombalonga on his way. Tomlin, who was afforded a generous reception by the home fans four days after handing in a written transfer request, slotted the spot-kick home and instantly applauded the home fans in the London Road end.
It whould have been comfortable from then, but Posh drifted towards complacency in the final minutes and when MacDonald pounced on a superb right cross to halve the deficit, panic set in.
On this day Posh just about got away it, but on another day they won’t. The win keeps Posh second in the table behind Leyton Orient who collected a third straight win at Stevenage.
Posh: Bobby Olejnkik, Craig Alcock (sub Mark Little, 54 mins), Kgosi Ntlhe, Michael Bostwick, Gaby Zakuani, Grant McCann (sub Danny Swanson, 75 mins), Danny Kearns (sub Jack Payne, 54 mins), Tommy Rowe, Lee Tomlin, Britt Assombalonga, Tyrone Barnett. Subs not used: Joe Day. Emile Sinclair, Jermaine Anderson, Nat Knight-Percival.
Oldham: Mark Oxley, Connor Brown, Jonathan Grounds, James Tarkowski, Joseph Mills, Korey Smith, James Wesolowski, Cristian Montano (sub Sidney Schmeltz, 71 mins), James Drayton, Jose Baxter (sub Kirk Millar, 67 mins), Adam Rooney (sub Charlie MacDonald, 84 mins). Subs not used: Cliff Byrne, Anton Rodgers, Glenn Belezika, Joel Coleman.
Goals:
Posh – Assombalonga (34 mins), Tomlin (pen, 84 mins).
Oldham – MacDonald (90 mins).
Cautions:
Posh – Alcock (foul).
Oldham – Grounds (foul).
Referee: Tony Harrington 6.
Attendance: 6,184 (358 Oldham).