Washington Winner Sinks Fleetwood
A goal on the stroke of half-time from striker Conor Washington earned Peterborough United a priceless three points at London Road as 10-man Fleetwood were beaten 1-0.Posh were dealt a blow inside the opening 10 minutes as left-back Kgosi Ntlhe, only just returning from a groin problem, sustained another injury and was forced off the field with Joe Newell his replacement.
Michael Smith was well positioned to clear from his own goal-line moments later as Morris drove the ball goal-wards following a cross to the far post by Evans.
Goalkeeper Ben Alnwick made a routine stop on 24 minutes to deny Sarcevic as he cut inside from the right with Fleetwood certainly enjoying their fair share of possession.
Alnwick dashed from his line to smother at the feet of Dobbie on the half hour mark as Burgess suffered a blow to the face.
An ambitious drive from distance by Maddison was pushed around the post by Maxwell before the same player was again denied by the Fleetwood keeper who made a more routine stop.
On the stroke of half-time, Posh nudged in front as a huge clearance from Alnwick picked out WASHINGTON who shrugged off the attentions of the defender and poked the ball past Maxwell.
McCann curled a free-kick into the arms of Maxwell deep into stoppage time as Crainey went into the book for a foul on Maddison.
A speculative volley from Jack Payne landed on the roof of the net on 54 minutes after the midfielder anticipated the bouncing ball well in the middle of the park.
Gareth Evans fired wide of the near post for the Cod Army on 57 minutes as the visitors nearly caught Posh on the counter attack.
Payne fired over from distance after a neat one-two with Washington on 61 minutes. Alnwick produced a stunning save to tip a Morris free-kick around the post on 65 minutes as Fleetwood introduced former Posh striker David Ball from the bench.
Sarcevic saw a swerving effort from range beaten away by goalkeeper Alnwick as Fleetwood began to get on top. Posh made a double change on 71 minutes with Kane Ferdinand and Jermaine Anderson replacing McCann and Taylor.
On 82 minutes, Fleetwood were reduced to 10-men as Crainey was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Maddison.
Posh: Alnwick, Smith, Burgess, Baldwin, Ntlhe (sub Newell 10min), McCann (sub J. Anderson 71min), Payne, Taylor (sub Ferdinand 71min), Maddison, James, Washington. Unused subs: Grant, Zakuani, McEvoy, H. Anderson,.
Fleetwood: Maxwell, McLaghlin, Pond, Evans, Schumacher (sub Ball 65min), Dobbie (sub Hughes 79min), Morris, Sarcevic, Proctor, Jordan, Crainey. Subs: Davies, Murdoch, Roberts, Blair, Haughton.
Attendance: 5,698 (118 Fleetwood)