Darren Ferguson branded Peterborough United’s 3-0 defeat to Lincoln City as “embarrassing” after his side collapsed at London Road.
The Posh manager admitted the visitors were well organised and deserved the victory, though he insisted fine margins played a role in the result.
Lincoln Take Control
Peterborough’s afternoon unravelled after the visitors seized the advantage midway through the first half. Ferguson, now in his fourth spell at the club, conceded his team never truly recovered once Lincoln moved ahead, despite briefly finding a foothold before the interval. JJ struck the post and Archie headed wide, but those near misses came to nothing.
“A difficult day. Well beaten in the end. I felt we started the game poorly. They started the game well, we started the game opposite. And then they got a little bit of control and then obviously scored. I knew the first goal today would be very important due to how both teams play,” Ferguson told Posh+.
His frustration deepened after Tendayi Darikwa struck at the back post to double the Imps’ lead. From that moment, Ferguson admitted belief drained out of his players.
“We were disjointed. We looked like we lacked belief at that point. Lost all confidence, which was really disappointing. … When it went to 2-0, that was the point where we lost belief.”
The Lincoln defence, performing effectively under Michael Skubala, restricted Peterborough to half chances. Ferguson acknowledged his opponents’ discipline, comparing their resilience to displays that had also troubled Luton Town and Chelsea in recent weeks.
“They’re a hard team to break down. Especially when they go ahead. We knew that coming into the game … I knew they were well organised, and we didn’t move the ball quick enough. And then the moments we did, like the JJ chance off the post, they had big chances to get back in the game, but in the end, we were well beaten.”
Although he pointed to small turning points – a strike against the woodwork and a missed opportunity for JJ Morgan at 2-0 – Ferguson did not shy away from the overall verdict.
“To get beat 3-0 at home by Lincoln is an embarrassing result for us.”
Writer’s View
For all Ferguson’s talk of fine margins, the reality is that Peterborough were comfortably second best once Lincoln established control. Hitting the post is no consolation when defensive frailties and a lack of belief undermine the performance so starkly.
Lincoln deserve credit for taking their chances and shutting the game down, but for the hosts the collapse after the second goal will alarm supporters. Describing the outcome as embarrassing was no exaggeration, and Ferguson will know that a response is essential if his side are to stay on track in League One.
