Peterborough grab undeserved point at Sincil Bank

By Nathan Jackson
October 20 2007

Peterborough were two minutes from leaving Sincil Bank with no points after the Posh put in a woeful performance. Ben Wright scored his first City goal in his first start for impressive City. Lincoln were controlling the majority of the game and had it not been for Gary Croft's own goal then the Imps would have been rewarded for a hard-working performance with 3 well earned points.

Peterborough had the better of the opening period after taking the kick off. The Posh won a free kick on the edge of the box within 2 minutes, however it was wasted by the visitors as Marriott easily claimed. That was the last time Peterborough would be near the Imps box for quite some time.

 City's first attack saw Croft run forward and find Dodds. He tried to get the ball under control but was unable to before he was disposed by the Peterborough defence. The ball was back in that area soon though as Jamie Hand sent a show low and hard towards the goal, Tyler let the ball squirn under his body and had it not been for a very quick reaction from the keeper, it could have easily been 1-0 City.

How City failed to find the net in the 20th minute is anyone's guess as Brown headed a Kerr cross back across the box. The ball fell to Beevers and he had all the time in the world from 3 yards out, yet somehow managed to find the stand. Frustration continued for City as both Frecklington and Wright failed to connect with a Gary Croft centre.

Tyler was seemingly the only Peterborough player who didn't want the Imps to score as he flung himself at Frecklington's shot. City won three successive corners, each had decent connections that went goalwards. The succession of corners ended when Beevers apparantly fouled Tyler.

One of the most typical scenes as Sincil Bank in recent years has been City dominating and then the opposition scoring their first shot on target....and only an Alan Marriott saved prevented that 5 minutes from time when Peterborough launched their first attack since the first minute.

Wright won a corner for the Imps and Kerr put in a brilliant delivery, Adie Moses headed against the bar and Ben Wright headed the rebound into the net and City had a well deserved goal to take into half time.

Peterborough almost grabbed an equaliser when George Boyd, the only outfield play for Peterborough who actually looked like he gave a crap, broke free of the City defence and found himself one on one with Marriott.  Thankfully Marriott stood up well and denied Peterborough a goal.

Much like the first half the Imps then started to dominate from this point. Frecklington and Dodds combined really well for the latter to be left one on one with Tyler. His first shot rebounded off of Tyler back to him, he then sent a powerful shot onto the underside the bar, it bounded on the line and went out before it was cleared for another corner.

Mickail-Smith replaced Hyde and Wheapdale came on for Newton for the visitors. Mclean was booked for the visitors as he lost his temper against Nat Brown, going in for a very rash challenge. He soon suffered a tackle at the hands of Jamie Hand, the Imps man getting booked (yet again).

Dodds and Freck combined well again, with the latter almost scoring before  a defender blocked the chance. Ben Wright then recieved a standing ovation as he was replaced by Ollie Ryan. Howe came on for Branton.

What's this? Are Peterborough in City's half of the pitch. Day had a shot that was put out for a corner by Green. It was a poor set piece and City easily cleared. Dodds was then taken off for Torpey.

Charlie Lee had a rare shot for Peterborough, watching it go wide. Then, after City had dominated long spells of the game, Peterborough grabbed an undeserved equaliser in the 88th minute. Day won possession and fired it across the box, several players went in with Gary Croft headed it into his own net...the second home game in a row that City were denied a deserved win by an own goal.

Peterborough bossed the final minutes btu failed to create any significant chances.