Peterborough’s season still well and truly alive – boss Grant McCann

Posted Sunday, February 25, 2018 by PA

Peterborough manager Grant McCann insisted his side’s season was still well and truly alive – despite seeing them held to a fourth-successive draw.

The early-season leaders now find themselves six points off the play-off places after being held to a 1-1 draw at the ABAX Stadium by struggling AFC Wimbledon.

The visitors hit the front with 15 minutes to go thanks to leading scorer Lyle Taylor’s 15th goal of the season. He struck only moments after being shifted into a striking role from his initial wide position.

But the lead proved to be shortlived as Marcus Maddison replied for Posh four minutes later when tucking away a fine pass from Jack Marriott.

Posh had earlier seen a Chris Forrester header cleared off the line by Barry Fuller while a full-stretch save from Dons goalkeeper George Long denied substitute Omar Bogle a winner.

But McCann is adamant his men are still top-six contenders and said: “We were lethargic and lacklustre in the first half. What we produced was not acceptable.

“We made changes at half-time and I thought we were good in the second half.

“We were unfortunate to fall behind when on top, but the response pleased me. It was an outstanding goal to get level.

“You see the way some people are walking around and you would think we are bottom of the league.

“But we’re six points off the play-offs with 13 games to go and games in hand on teams above us. If that’s not a season still being alive then I don’t know what is.

“We want perfection, but we have to be realistic and realise we’re in League One.

“We haven’t been consistent enough to get into the top six lately, but we’ve got time to do something about that.”

Wimbledon are now two points above the relegation zone and boss Neal Ardley said: “It would have been nice to hang on for the win at such an important stage of the season, but it’s a good point for us.

“Peterborough quite often carve teams open and have so many threats going forward. We worked hard to stay in our shape while also trying to hurt them.

“For 99 per cent of the game we defended to the letter, but we lost our men once and that led to Peterborough getting level.

“We had a really torrid run recently, but we’re making progress again. Hopefully we can continue to put in the performances we need to get the right results from the last 12 games.

“I don’t expect things to get settled until really, really late on because there are so many teams fighting to stay up. We have a new stadium on the horizon and we want to be a League One club.”