Posh beaten by a deflected winner at Hillsborough as Sheffield Wednesday continue their charge to automatic promotion.
Peterborough United controlled large parts of a strong first half performance at Hillsborough, but didn’t turn that dominance into chances in front of goal and in the second period, a deflected winner from Jaden Brown secured the points for Sheffield Wednesday who continue their charge to promotion.
It was a bright start to the contest at Hillsborough with Darren Ferguson’s men playing confidently in possession and causing a few problems on the counter attack. Nathanael Ogbeta delivered a fine centre into the box, which just eluded Jonson Clarke-Harris in the six-yard box.
Corners and set-pieces were always going to pose a challenge for Posh due to the height the hosts had at their disposal with Aidan Flint a real threat. However, it was from a low corner that the hosts came closest to breaking the deadlock, Barry Bannan’s low delivery found Josh Windass, but his shot cracked the crossbar.
Nathan Thompson fired over from long-range before Flint was cautioned for a foul. Mason-Clark sent an audacious over-head kick over the bar before Bannan became the second Owls player booked after a foul in the centre circle.
Norris produced a fine reaction stop to keep out Windass on 50 minutes after a good cross into the box by Bannan before an injury to Thompson stifled the hosts momentum. The home side got their noses in front just before the hour mark and there was a real touch of fortune as Jaden BROWN’S cross took a nick off a Posh defender and found the back of the net.
Posh carved out a really good opportunity on 65 minutes after wonderful work from Clarke-Harris, Norburn and Burrows, but Poku, racing clear, took a heavy touch and the chance was snuffed out by the retreating Iorfa.
Ferguson made a first change on 68 minutes with Joe Ward replacing Poku on the Posh right. The Owls also introduced Lee Gregory for the powerful Smith. Norris was well placed to keep out a Gregory flick on 77 minutes before Posh introduced Kabonga Tshimanga and Hector Kyprianou into the fray.
Edwards was booked for a foul on Byers on 88 minutes by referee Mr Backhouse.
Sheffield Wednesday: Dawson, Palmer (sub Adeniran 90min), Brown (sub Hunt 76min), Vaulks, Iorfa, Bannan, Windass, Byers, Famewo, Smith (sub Gregory 68min), Flint. Unused subs: Charles, Bakinson, Shipston, Alimi-Adetoro.
Posh: Norris, N. Thompson, Kent, Edwards, Ogbeta (sub Jones 85min), Norburn (sub Kyprianou 81min) , J. Taylor, Poku (sub Ward 67min), Clarke-Harris, Mason-Clark, Burrows (sub Tshimanga 81min). Unused subs: Blackmore, Fernandez, B. Thompson.
Half-time: Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Peterborough United
Full-time: Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Peterborough United
Attendance: 26,984 (1,852 Posh fans)
Referee: Anthony Backhouse