A superb free-kick from Grant McCann was scant consolation for Peterborough United as Championship side Leicester City claimed a comfortable 5-1 success at London Road on Tuesday evening.
Posh rested Craig Mackail-Smith for the visit of Leicester City, but manager Gary Johnson was able to welcome back Nathan Koranteng to the substitutes bench after he recovered from an arm injury.
Aaron Mclean saw an early shot blocked before former Leicester midfielder Wesolowski fired a fierce shot past the post. Ryan Bennet demonstrated an interesting way to clear the danger on 19 minutes, shinning it against the crossbar and away to safety as Posh struggled to contain their Championship opponents.
The Foxes opened the scoring on 23 minutes as a cross from Robbie Neilson was fumbled by Joe Lewis and Andy KING guided the ball into the back of the net despite the best efforts of Kelvin Langmead.
A Grant McCann free-kick caused panic after deflecting off the wall with Ryan Bennett and Dave Hibbert unable to force the ball past goalkeeper Conrad Logan. Leicester doubled their advantage on 28 minutes as DJ CAMPBELL raced clear and coolly slotted the ball past Lewis. It was his fourth goal at London Road in three visits during the last 12 months.
Posh had the ball in the back of the net three minutes later as a McCann free-kick was headed home by Langmead, but the referee spotted a foul by the Posh defender who appeared to be climbing over Michael Morrison.
Goalkeeper Lewis used all of his reach to make a fine save from DJ Campbell on 37 minutes after Bennett had initially blocked a Fryatt effort. On the stroke of half-time, Aaron Mclean fired wide of the near post after he did well to beat two defenders.
After a piece of pressure from the hosts at the start of the second half with Mclean heading the best chance wide, Leicester soon extended their advantage as N'GUESSAN found plenty of time and space in the area to fire past Lewis.
A superb left-foot free-kick from skipper McCann was tipped over by Logan on the hour mark, the shot-stopper doing very well to push the effort over the crossbar. McCann tried again moments later, but this shot flew over the crossbar.
Posh should have reduced the arrears on 65 minutes as first Davies was denied by a Logan parry and then Hibbert struck the inside of the post with the rebound. Boyd saw his left-footed shot saved by the goalkeeper.
Posh made several changes as the game entered the final 20 minutes with Steve Collis and Nana introduced, while the Foxes also changed several personnel. N'Guessan showed good ability on the ball on 73 minutes, but his final shot was woeful.
Substitute Howard fired wide on 82 minutes as the Foxes continued to play good football in the final third. A terrible pass from Wesolowski picked out HOWARD with seven minutes remaining and the former Northampton Town front man fired past Collis.
However, despite the dominance from the opposition, the goal of the game came from Posh five minutes from the end as a superb free-kick from MCCANN sailed into the top corner past a despairing dive from Logan. It was a well executed effort from the experienced midfielder with the free-kick whipped over the wall from a difficult angle.
In stoppage time, Leicester made it 5-1 as HOWARD swept home from close-range after good work in the wide position by Kennedy.
Final Score: Posh 1-5 Leicester City
Posh: Lewis (sub Collis 72min), Langmead, Lee, Bennett, Rowe, Wesolowski, McCann, Boyd, Mendez-Laing (sub Davies 61min), Hibbert, Mclean (sub Nana 72min). Unused subs: Piergianni, Koranteng.
Leicester: Logan, Neilson (sub Howard 68min), Morrison (sub Parkes 75min), Oakley (sub Verma 79min), DJ Campbell (sub Hebib 68min), King (sub Wellens 70min), Dyer (sub John 75min), Fryatt (sub Chambers 79min), Berner (sub Kennedy 64min), N'Guessan (sub Schlupe 79min), Hobbs. Unused subs: Weale.
