Youngster Harry Anderson created both goals as Posh eased into round two of the Capital One Cup.
Peterborough United are into the second round of the Capital One cup after a 2-0 victory over Crawley Town at the ABAX Stadium with youngster Harry Anderson playing a starring role against his former club.Posh got the perfect start to the game, opening the scoring inside the first two minutes as Conor WASHINGTON converted from close-range following a low cross from Harry Anderson. Joe Gormley deserves a lot of credit too for a raking crossfield pass to the Posh youngster.
Michael Bostwick saw a right-foot effort from 10-yards deflect over the crossbar after more good work from Harry Anderson, who was enjoying the opening exchanges against his former club.
Lewis Young, the brother of Manchester United winger Ashley, was cautioned for a late foul on Maddison while Bostwick also entered the referee's notebook for a foul.
Van Den Bogaert was next to be booked, this time for tripping Anderson as he latched on to a well-placed throw out by Alnwick.
An excellent pass from Maddison picked out Washington on the half hour mark, but the striker saw his toe-poke smothered by goalkeeper Woodman.
Woodman was called upon to make a more difficult stop moments later as Ntlhe knocked down a long clearance from Alnwick into the path of Washington's who saw his volley acrobatically tipped over.
The visitors were close to the equaliser on 35 minutes as a deep Rooney cross was headed against the post by Harrold before Davey hacked the ball behind for a corner kick.
On 42 minutes, Young saw a 30-yard drive tipped over by Alnwick as the visitors came close. At the other end, Maddison saw a low shot beaten away by Woodman as the half time whistle approached.
Posh doubled the lead on 49 minutes and once again youngster Harry Anderson can take a lot of the credit, riding two challenges and then cutting the ball back for Marcus MADDISON to stroke home his first goal of the season with his left-foot.
Dave Robertson's men struck the inside of the post on 56 minutes, it could have been Gormley with the volley or the defender who got the final touch - either way the visitors had a lucky escape.
It should have been 3-0 moments later as a Maddison cross was nodded across goal by Ntlhe into the path of Gormley, but he glanced his header wide of the target.
A swerving Maddison free-kick was beaten away by Woodman on 61 minutes with Ntlhe poking the rebound wide of the target.
Luke Rooney was a whisker away from capping a decent personal display with a goal on 67 minutes, but his rasping drive skidded just wide of the far post.
Posh made a double change on 73 minutes with Souleymane Coulibaly and Kyle Vassell replacing Washington and Gormley.
McNerney side-footed wide on 80 minutes after a good flick on from Harrold as Crawley pressed for a consolation goal. Substitute Edwards was denied by Alnwick diving to his right on 84 minutes.
Taylor floated a free-kick over the crossbar on 89 minutes before five minutes added time was signalled by the fourth official.
Posh: Alnwick, Adebayo-Rowling, Zakuani, Davey, Ntlhe, Bostwick, Collison, H. Anderson, Maddison (sub Taylor 86min), Gormley (sub Coulibaly 73min), Washington (sub Vassell 73min). Unused subs: Henry, Brisley, J. Anderson, Taylor, Santos.
Crawley: Woodman, McNeerney, Bradley, Smith, Rooney, Young (sub Bawling 80min), Fenelon (sub Edwards 61min), Harrold, Deacon (sub Barnard 58min), Donnelly, Van Den Bogaert. Unused subs: Preston, Ashton.
Half-time: Peterborough United 1-0 Crawley Town
Attendance: 2,500 (55 Crawley fans)
Full-time: Peterborough United 2-0 Crawley Town