Oldfield dedicates Peterborough’s snow show to McCann as Evans watches on

Posted Wednesday, February 28, 2018 by PA

Caretaker boss David Oldfield dedicated Peterborough’s first win in eight games to the axed Grant McCann as Posh demonstrated their togetherness to their likely new boss.

Steve Evans, who is widely expected to be confirmed as McCann’s successor this week after quitting Mansfield, was present at a snowy ABAX Stadium.

He saw Posh fall behind in the ninth minute to a Julien Ngoy strike but Omar Bogle and Jack Baldwin turned the game around before continued heavy snow almost forced an abandonment.

Steven Taylor and Junior Morias were among the home players who grabbed brooms and shovels to clear the lines and ensure the game could be finished.

Oldfield said: “It was a game full of twists, thrills and some heart-pumping moments and the boys really showed their mettle.

“We’ve been very close to picking up wins of late and just managed to get over the line tonight. I would absolutely say that result is for Grant and it was achieved thanks to a real team ethic.

“The togetherness and willingness of everyone was highlighted after the referee requested the lines be cleared. Players, coaching staff, stewards and office staff all grabbed shovels.

“It stopped snowing after that which was a big reward for their efforts, and and I must thank every single supporter who turned out to get behind us on a really tricky, snowy night.

“My remit was simply to take this game. I’m not aware of who was watching in the crowd, but anything can happen in football.”

Marcus Maddison had a penalty saved shortly after Ngoy’s opener as Posh had to wait until six minutes before the break to level courtesy of Bogle’s first goal since arriving on loan.

The turnaround was completed eight minutes into the second half when captain Baldwin fired home after Maddison hit a post.

Luke Leahy was denied a Walsall leveller by a post and Jack Marriott twice went close for Posh as the snow provided the defining image of the closing stages.

Walsall boss Jon Whitney said: “I thought defensive errors cost us dear. We had to use our nous a bit more on a pitch like that.

“We created enough chances to get something from the game, but we can’t gift opposing teams goals in the manner we did. We left ourselves with a mountain to climb and also handed the momentum to Peterborough.

“You have to play to the conditions on a night like this. That means making the right decisions and Peterborough did that better than we did.

“We certainly didn’t want the game to be called off, though. It would have felt very unjust if we were ahead and that happened.”

Whitney confirmed Joe Edwards will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.