Posh play-off hopes fading after heavy home defeat to Southend United

Peterborough United were beaten 4-1 by Southend United at the ABAX Stadium as their play-off hopes were dealt a major blow on a night to forget for Grant McCann's men who looked vulnerable every time their opponents attacked.

Junior Morias saw an early effort blocked after a good strong run from Mackail-Smith down the right.

Simon Cox saw a looping header well gathered by Luke McGee at the other end. Wordsworth sent a rasping drive over the top on 12 minutes from fully 35-yards as the Shrimpers came close to the breakthrough.

Maddison was a whisker away from giving Posh the lead on 22 minutes after riding a couple of challenges, only to send his curler just past the post from the edge of the penalty area.

Cox was cautioned for a late tackle on Baldwin moments later after a wild lunge by the touchline.

Maddison saw a fierce first timed effort well gathered by Smith on the half hour mark, while McGlashan dragged a shot just wide of the post at the other end.

Bostwick sent a low effort wide of the target on 35 minutes after good strength from Morias in a tight area.

McGee denied Fortune on 40 minutes after a sharp turn created some space in the penalty area for the experienced front man.

McGee made a fine stop on the stroke of half time to deny Innis before Baldwick hacked the loose ball clear as Southend threatened to pounce.

In stoppage time, the visitors got their noses in front and it was down to a well positioned assistant referee who spotted DEMETRIOU effort had crossed the line despite the protests of McGee who had grabbed the ball as it spun back into play.

Da Silva Lopes sent an effort over the bar from distance after a good Posh move on 52 minutes. Maddison fired wide on 55 minutes from just inside the box after his fancy flick had started another decent passage of play.

Tom Nichols replaced Morias on the hour mark as Grant McCann made his first switch. Tafazolli made a fine block to deny Wordsworth moments later.

However, the visitors made it 2-0 on 61 minutes as one clearance from Smith was flicked on by Cox into the path of FORTUNE who toe poked the ball past McGee under pressure from Baldwin. One simple clearance, one flick and it was a one v one situation.

It was 3-0 on 64 minutes as some shocking defending allowed WORDSWORTH the simple task of side-footing home with his left-foot. Da Silva Lopes fired straight at Smith with a low drive on 69 minutes.

The Shrimpers introduced Nile Ranger as a substitute for Cox on 72 minutes. Maddison saw an effort beaten away by Smith and then Taylor saw an effort cleared off the line as Posh came close to a consolation goal.

However, they were grateful to McGee moments later after a swift counter attack, the on-loan keeper saving well to deny Robinson who was one on one.

On 81 minutes, Posh did reduce the arrears as NICHOLS finished superbly after linking well with Taylor down the right.

Maddison saw a swerving free-kick well beaten away by Smith after Taylor had been felled. Taylor then saw a fierce effort from long-range somehow diverted onto the bar and post by Smith as Posh's attempts for a second goal were denied.

TIMLIN made it 4-1 deep into stoppage time to complete the misery for Posh who's home record this season makes shocking reading.

Posh: McGee, Smith, Hughes, Bostwick, Tafazolli, Baldwin, Maddison, Mackail-Smith, Da Silva Lopes, Samuelsen (sub Taylor 65min), Morias (sub Nichols 59min). Unused subs: Tyler, Angol. Ball, Inman, Binnom-Williams.

Southend: Smith, Coker, Wordsworth, Thompson, Timlin, Cox (sub Ranger 72min), Fortune (sub O'Neill 83min), McGlashan (sub Robinson 66min), Leonard, Demetriou, Innis. Unused subs: Bexon, White, Amos, Nouble.

Half-time: Peterborough United 0-1 Southend United
Full-time: Peterborough United 1-4 Southend United
Attendance: 4,597 (545 Southend fans)