Peterborough United came close to completing a memorable fightback against promotion favourites West Bromwich Albion at London Road, but three goals in the first half proved to be the undoing of Darren Ferguson's men.

West Brom made a great start to the evening by opening the scoring within the first two minutes as a mistake from Gabriel Zakuani allowed striker Luke MOORE to turn and fire a low shot underneath the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

The Baggies were looking extremely dangerous in the opening exchanges and but for a poor first touch, Chris Brunt could have doubled the lead, his attempted lob eventually drifting wide of the goal.

Posh were dealt another blow moments later as Williams was forced out of the action with injury, club skipper Russell Martin the man introduced with Lee reverting to left-back.

Shaun Batt was cautioned for a late challenge on Joe Mattock by the touch-line and the break in play did allow Darren Ferguson to try and calm his players down after a rather forgettable 15 minutes for the boys in blue.

Posh had the ball in the back of the net on 24 minutes after a glorious move involving the front three of Boyd, Mclean and Mackail-Smith, but the latter was in an offside position when he fired the ball past Carson and into the back of the net.

Ferguson's men were so close to equalising moments later, first Mclean was superbly denied by Carson and then Mackail-Smith found the outside of the post with the rebound before Mclean's follow-up effort was blocked by Cech.

However, for all the good work in the attacking third by Posh, it was undone at the other end as a gift from Morgan allowed Dorrans to thread the ball into the path of MOORE, who made no mistake.

It was 3-0 moments later as a cross from Cummings was not cleared and the ball ran for BRUNT who converted past Lewis with his right-foot from close-range.

Posh didn't let the setback get the down though and reduced the arrears in stoppage time as a superb cross from Batt was converted at the back post by MACKAIL-SMITH, for his second header in as many games. Not bad for a man who confessed at the weekend that only one of his 25 goals last season came with his head.

Half-time: Posh 1-3 West Brom

A superb free-kick from Boyd into the six-yard box caused panic in the Albion back-line moments after the re-start as Posh made a determined start to the second period at London Road.

Posh deservedly reduced the arrears on 55 minutes and it was MCLEAN who was in the right place to poke the ball past Carson at his near post after a fine cross from Boyd.

Posh had the ball in the back of the net again moments later as Mackail-Smith converted from close-range, but the referee had blown for a foul on Carson by Boyd in the mad scramble that proceded it.

Koren was then denied by Lewis by his near post as this game had a cup-tie feel. A dreadful error from Morgan presented Moore with a golden opportunity to extend the Albion advantage, but Lewis made a superb save and then hacked the ball clear.

Morgan was withdrawn with 10 minutes to go as Tommy Rowe came on as Ferguson made his final switch of the evening. Martin floated a free-kick over the crossbar on 82 minutes after Frecklington was fouled on the edge of the area, while Koren sent a wild effort wide at the other end.

Thomas dragged a shot wide of the target on 83 minutes after cutting inside from the left as Albion pressed for a killer fourth goal. Mclean squandered a half-chance on the turn, which Carson comfortably dealt with and it looked like Posh would run out of time to complete a stirring comeback.

Lewis made a good save to deny the lively Thomas on 88 minutes before Craig Beattie was introduced by the Baggies for Moore.

Frecklington saw a late effort saved by Carson, but the Baggies looked comfortable in playing out the five minutes of added time despite a late volley from Martin, which Carson nearly spilled .

Dorrans was sent off deep into stoppage time for his second booking for hacking down Lee before the final whistle was blown.

Final Score: Posh 2-3 West Brom

Posh: Lewis, Lee, Williams (sub Martin 14min), Morgan (sub Rowe 79min), Zakuani, Boyd, Diagouraga (sub Frecklington 66min), Coutts, Mclean, Mackail-Smith. Subs: McKeown, Keates, Rowe, Pearce, Green.

West Brom: Carson, Mattock, Olsson, Cech (sub Thomas 68min), Brunt, Wood (sub Korens 58min), Moore (sub Beattie 88min), Dorrans, Malumbu, Martis, Cummings. Subs: Kiely, Barnett, Reid, Cox.