For the second straight season, Wanderers will meet Barnsley in the League One play-off semifinals after being formally denied automatic promotion on the penultimate day, according to Pete Oliver.
It was always going to be difficult to edge out Derby County for second place, but the Rams did what they had to in order to trail Portsmouth.
Wanderers’ two successive goals at London Road gave them a brief chance to make it a spectacular final afternoon.
However, Derby also scored early to allay any fears and eliminate the possibility of a loss that would have given the Whites a chance. As a result, Wanderers’ game against Peterborough turned into a practice run for a potential play-off final encounter at Wembley.
With semi-finals to negotiate, neither club will be looking too far ahead, but the possible warm-up turned out to be a cracker as Peterborough struck back with three goals in the second half, and Wanderers rallied late on to ensure that their unbeaten streak would reach seven games thanks to a late equalizer from Cameron Jerome.
Along with a penalty from Dion Charles and a header from Kyle Dempsey, Jerome’s third goal in as many games kept Wanderers ahead. Ian Evatt’s team can now look forward with reasonable optimism as they attempt to avenge last year’s semi-final loss and continue their ambition of promotion.
With two goals in the first eight minutes, Wanderers could not have started any better, knowing what they could need to do.
In a flash, Charles watched Jed Steer tip his header over the bar for a corner, which eventually resulted in the first goal.
Former Peterborough loan player Dempsey, who was back in the Whites starting lineup after Paris Maghoma’s injury, headed a superb downward header into the bottom corner from a cross by Randell Williams.
It was clear in less than a minute that Derby had also scored, but Wanderers were holding up their end of the bargain as they extended their lead without much delay.
Williams was involved once more when he was tripped just inside the penalty area. Charles took advantage of the situation and scored coolly from the spot to move to 18 goals for the season, scoring for the first time in 11 games prior to his injured layoff.
For a while, Posh couldn’t handle the energy of Wanderers, and Charles set up Dempsey for a chance that he almost missed to tie the score at three goals.
Charles also curled a shot just over the top, and five minutes before halftime, Ephron Mason-Clarke wasted Peterborough’s greatest opportunity when he sent an attempt wide of the goal.
The second half was somewhat different, with Wanderers maybe losing some of their advantage as the race for second place became likely.
With three goals in a half-hour to turn the tide and take the lead, Peterborough, who were certain to finish fourth, also had nothing to lose and increased their efforts.
Malik Mothersille turned in the first, although Wanderers had every reason to be upset about what appeared to be a handball by David Ajiboye just before he broke free to score the game-winning cross.
And with just over ten minutes remaining, Wanderers could have accepted their fate, but to their credit, they came back to equalize and deservedly finish the regular campaign with something to show for an impressive performance. Dan Nlundulu came dangerously close to his first goal since returning from injury, and it was left to fellow substitute Jerome to earn a point as he was in the right place for a cross from Nathan Ogbeta to bounce off him and into the net to continue his late flourish. Finally, Mothersille had a shot turned away by Josh Sheehan before he made it 3-2 from Randall’s low cross.
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