Taylor On Target In Hard Fought Posh Win
Peterborough United recorded a much needed three points after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Rochdale at the ABAX Stadium with Grant McCann's men ending with 10 men and Keith Hill's men concluding the 90 minutes with just nine.Joe Rafferty was cautioned on nine minutes for a foul and from the resulting free-kick, Marcus Maddison smacked the crossbar with a powerful left-footed effort from around 30-yards.
Callum Camps sent a low drive wide of the target on 11 minutes after he was afforded space in midfield to progress.
Bostwick picked out Taylor with a delicate pass moments later, but the striker fired into the side-netting with others well placed.
Nichols saw a left-foot shot parried by Wilson after he had linked well with Taylor on the near side. Da Silva Lopes was cautioned for a needless nudge on Camps on 22 minutes.
Bostwick and then Baldwin both saw efforts cleared off the line as a Maddison deep corner caused panic at the back post. A glorious pass from Maddison then picked out Nichols on 31 minutes, but he directed his header straight at Wilson.
On 36 minutes, Posh got themselves ahead as a corner from Maddison was poked home by BALDWIN from six-yards under severe pressure.
Posh doubled their lead on 39 minutes as Tom NICHOLS curled home a fine finish into the bottom corner from just inside the box.
However, the visitors reduced the arrears almost immediately as THOMPSON got in behind the defence and fired low past McGee and into the bottom corner.
Keane was cautioned for a foul on Nichols on 42 minutes. Maddison sent the resulting free-kick wide of the far post.
Maddison was denied by Wilson as the first half entered three minutes of stoppage time. Rochdale were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time as Rafferty was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Maddison.
The visitors made a change at the break with Harrison McGahey replacing Thompson. Taylor dragged a shot wide of the target on 47 minutes after cutting inside onto his right-foot.
Rochdale were reduced to nine men on 52 minutes as horror challenge from McDermott on Baldwin was punished appropriately by referee Mr Sarginson. Baldwin was cautioned for a late challenge before Taylor saw a flick well saved at the near post.
Taylor fired over on 59 minutes as Posh tried to make their numerical advantage count. On 62 minutes, Craig Mackail-Smith replaced Da Silva Lopes as manager McCann made his first switch.
Wilson kept out a low shot from Maddison moments later. Wilson somehow kept out a volley from Maddison after the winger's first attempt was blocked.
Wilson made a fine smothering save to deny Inman after a slick one two with Mackail-Smith. Taylor then fired over after wriggling past several defenders and forcing his way into the box.
Baldwin was shown a second yellow card and was sent-off on 80 minutes for a foul on the substitute Cannon. Maddison looked to have been body checked in the box by Kitching on 82 minutes, but the referee waved away the protests.
Andrew fired into the side-netting for the visitors on 82 minutes after finding space down the left channel.
On 84 minutes, Posh made it 3-1 as TAYLOR lashed home on the half volley after excellent work from Inman. McGee denied Andrew as the game went into four minutes of added time.
Posh: McGee, Smith, Hughes, Bostwick, Tafazolli, Baldwin, Taylor, Maddison, Inman, Da Silva Lopes (sub Mackail-Smith 62min), Nichols (sub Morias 87min). Unused subs: Tyler, Angol, Chettle, Binnom-Williams, Samuelsen.
Rochdale: Wilson, Rafferty, McNulty, Andrew, Camps, Mendez-Laing (sub Cannon 75min), McDermott, Thompson (sub McGahey 46min), Keane (sub Kitching 57min), Allen, Henderson. Unused subs: Logan, Vincenti, Rathbone, Noble-Lazarus.
Half-time: Peterborough United 2-1 Rochdale
Full-time: Peterborough United 3-1 Rochdale
Attendance: 4,457 (218 Rochdale fans)