Ryan Semple

Posh under 21s boss Ryan Semple takes positives from second half performance against Blues.

The Peterborough United under 21s were beaten 2-0 by Birmingham City on Monday afternoon and manager Ryan Semple was frustrated with his side's killer instinct in front of goal, but took positives from the team's second half display against the Blues.

Two goals inside the opening half hour settled the Professional Development League fixture with Kai Corbett seeing a second half spot-kick saved. 

Corbett also saw a free-kick superbly kept out while Birmingham missed the opportunity to extend their lead as they fired a penalty wide of the target.

"There were bits of the game that weren't bad at all. We were frustrated with the goals that we conceded, we needed to retain possession better, the turnover of the ball and the way they exploited it was what we expected in the game-plan, so it was disappointing the way that happened.

"In the second half, we sustained pressure a lot better, we created chances, missed a penalty and had other half-chances but we didn't take them. We needed to score while we had them pinned back, but we didn't. 

"Ultimately, in the final third, we needed more quality and end product, which is why we didn't score, but there were positive performances within the 90 minutes and we need to take that forward into the next game we have," Semple said.