Peterborough United will have won many admirers in the press box and in the crowd after an excellent performance against Premier League side Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, but the dismissal of goalkeeper Joe Lewis on the stroke of half-time changed the course of proceedings and the hosts were able to capitalise on their numerical advantage, running out 5-2 winners.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson decided against risking striker Craig Mackail-Smith and centre back Gabriel Zakuani for the visit to Premier League Blackburn Rovers with Shaun Batt and Krystian Pearce coming into the starting line-up. Youth team striker Nathan Koranteng was named on the substitute bench for the first time in his career after a goal in the under 18s 8-0 win over Barnet at the weekend.

Fergie's men made a good start to the game and forced a corner inside the first two minutes as George Boyd's right-footed effort was deflected wide by Martin Olsson. However, the home side went straight down the other end and won a free-kick after Frecklington was penalised for a foul on McCarthy and PEDERSEN stepped up and sent a fierce left-foot free-kick into the top corner.

Chris Whelpdale headed into the side-netting on 10 minutes from a deep Lee Frecklington centre as Posh tried to get back into the game afer the setback of conceding early.

In fact, Posh were by the far better side and an in-swinging free-kick from Boyd somehow managed to elude Lee, Mclean and Frecklington in the six-yard box as Blackburn's defence was all over the place.

They got the goal they deserved on 16 minutes as a superb run and cross from Tommy Rowe picked out WHELPDALE at the back post and he nodded the ball back across Brown and into the back of the net. The goal actually came with Lee off the pitch receiving treatment.

Olsson flashed an ambitious volley wide of the target on 21 minutes as Rovers responded well, winning two corners in quick succession. the hosts hit the crossbar on 23 minuets as a miss-hit McCarthy effort found its way to Kalinic, whose header hit the top of the crossbar. Givet was then cautioned for a tug on Batt.

Posh were dealt an injury blow on 35 minutes as Lee limped out of proceedings to be replaced by Russell Martin. Posh were playing some delightful football in attack and a lovely cross from Boyd reached Whelpdale, whose low shot was deflected into the side netting by Jones.

Blackburn Rovers were given a great chance to score on 42 minutes after a terrible header from Martin tempted Lewis out of his goal and he tugged down Pedersen. The referee issued a straight red card. Lewis faces a suspension, but the more pressing matters was here at Ewood Park with James McKeown taking his place between the sticks. REID stepped up and fired the ball straight down the middle to give Rovers an undeserved lead.

McKeown made an early save to boost confidence as Emerton headed goal-wards from a Pedersen cross as the first half drew to a close.

Half-time: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Posh

It was confirmed during the interval that Lewis would be suspended for Saturday's meeting with Barnsley at London Road unless the club decide to appeal. Pedersen wasted a good opportunity to extend the lead from an Emerton corner kick on 49 minutes, but he headed off target.

Moments later though, the Posh supporters were on the feet again as a glorious pass from Frecklington picked out BOYD and he fired an unstoppable left-foot shot past Brown and into the roof of the net. The goal silenced the home faithful and certainly was a shock to the system of the Blackburn players who were convinced that they could coast through the second period.

Blackburn then missed practically an open goal as McCarthy played the ball to Emerton, whose scuffed pass picked out Pedersen three yards from goal, but he side-footed his effort horribly wide. McKeown then showed good handling to deny a downward Reid header after a McCarthy free-kick by the touch-line.

Blackburn soon got themselves back in front as an Emerton diagonal ball picked out SALGADO, who got in behind Rowe and toe-poked the ball past McKeown at his near post from close-range.  

Posh were intent on attacking despite their numerical disadvantage with Whelpdale sending a toe-poked effort at goal after a great lay-off from Mclean under pressure from Nelsen. David Dunn, fully recovered after a bout of flu, replaced the tiring Reid on 70 minutes.

Rovers made the game safe on 72 minutes as the the hosts to make progress down the left, Kalinic moved inside Pearce who slipped and played a good ball to MCCARTHY who coolly slotted the ball past McKeown. The penalty award was certainly harsh by referee Mr Taylor and the score-line was harsh on Posh who were still playing their football and causing problems.

Less than 60 seconds later, Pearce was adjudged to have handled an Olsson cross and the referee pointed to the spot. KALINIC stepped up and stroked the ball past McKeown and into the corner.

McKeown parried a fierce shot from Andrews way from danger on 78 minutes as Posh began to pray for the final whistle. A David Dunn shot deflected wide via a Frecklington shoulder on 80 minutes as the Posh supporters continued to show their backing for the visitors.

Jamie Day curled a free-kick into the wall after Frecklington was fouled on the edge of the box four minutes from time. Morgan was well-placed to clear after McCarthy had flicked the ball over McKeown as the game entered stoppage time, but a sixth goal would of been incredibly harsh on Darren Ferguson's men.

Final Score: Blackburn Rovers 5-2 Posh

Blackburn: Brown, Givet (sub Nelsen 60min), Emerton (sub Andrews 77min), McCarthy, Pedersen, Reid (sub Dunn 70min), Olsson, Kalinic, Hoilett, Salgado, Jones. Unused subs: Robinson, Jacobsen, Roberts, Heerden.

Posh: Lewis, Morgan, Lee (sub Martin 35min), Frecklington, Mclean, Boyd, Rowe (sub Day 75min), Diagouraga, Pearce, Whelpdale, Batt (sub McKeown 43min). Unused subs: Coutts, Keates, Green, Koranteng.

Attendance: 8,419