The Peterborough United youth team recorded an impressive 2-1 victory over Southend United at Huntingdon Town FC with Declan Rogers marking his first appearance in the first team with a late winner.

Rogers scored an 88th minute winner after coming off the substitutes bench to good effect against the Shrimpers and Posh will be hoping to build on the win when they face Rushden and Diamonds in their final fixture before the Christmas break.

After falling behind two minutes after the interval from the penalty spot, Posh dug in and like the first team, showed great character and desire to come from behind and claim maximum points.

'We knew they would be tough opposition and so it proved. We started the game brightly and it was important to work hard for each other. Both sides created opportunities in the first half, it was quite open despite the 0-0 score-line at the interval.

'The conditions favoured Southend in the second half and they tried to use those conditions to their advantage. We fell behind two minutes into the second half after they capitalised on a free-kick after a foul by Callum Reed.

'With 15 minutes to go I made a few substitutions with Declan Rogers making an immediate impact. He got in some great areas and attacked their left-back getting in behind on numerous occasions. He fed the ball to Lyons who was fouled with Lewis Webb scoring the penalty.

'In the 88th minute, Rogers earned all three points for Posh, cutting inside from the left and drilling the bar into the top corner. That was the under 18s first league win of the season, which is brilliant for the young lads and I am sure they will build on that against Rushden on Saturday,' Head of Youth Dave Robertson said.

Posh: Bennett, Reed, Jirabandy, Webb, Andrew, Kouassi, White (sub Rogers 75min), Pennals, Crook, Lyons, Araba.