Butler and Toney fire Peterborough to victory over promotion rivals Portsmouth

Posted Sunday, March 08, 2020 by PA

Peterborough gave their promotion hopes a boost with a battling 2-0 home win over fellow League One high-flyers Portsmouth.

Goals from defender Dan Butler and leading scorer Ivan Toney did the damage as Posh upset Pompey at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Victory saw Darren Ferguson’s buoyant side climb four places to fourth in the standings, as Toney registered his 24th league goal of what is already a remarkable season for the striker.

Butler fired the hosts into a 32nd-minute lead with a sweet left-foot strike into the top-right corner of Alex Bass’ net.

It was his second goal in three games having previously failed to find the back of the net all season before that.

Portsmouth midfielder Cameron McGeehan had a shot saved by Posh keeper Christy Pym, before Butler had a shot blocked at the other end.

Tom Naylor saw his header from Ronan Curtis’ corner saved by Pym soon after, while Sammie Szmodics was denied by Bass as both sides continued to create chances.

Bass then made an even better block to prevent Toney from doubling the home side’s lead.

But the 23-year-old former Newcastle striker sealed a fine win when he fired home with four minutes remaining.