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Carling Cup: Brave effort by Posh
Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson blamed the end of the Carling Cup on a dreadful decision on Tuesday night.
Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson blamed the end of the Carling Cup on a dreadful decision on Tuesday night.Ferguson was not particularly critical of referee Anthony Taylor's decision to dismiss goalkeeper Joe Lewis late in the first half of a 5-2 fourth round defeat at Premier League club Blackburn after he had conceded a penalty.
The subject of his anger was club captain Russell Martin for a feeble back-header which was seized on by Rovers winger Morten Gamst Pedersen, who hit the deck after contact with Lewis.
Rovers converted the spot-kick to go into a 2-1 lead and duly made the most of their numerical advantage despite 10-man Posh levelling through George Boyd early in the second half.
Ferguson said: "That one terrible decision from Russell has changed the whole complexion of the game.
"The referee made his decision to send off Joe very quickly even though he was doing his best to get out of the way of their player.
"Up until that point we had been very competitive and I felt we had a good chance of going through, but the sending off changed that.
"We played some really good stuff at times and this certainly wasn't the annihilation the scoreline might suggest.
"In the end it became an exercise in conserving as much energy as possible for another must-win league match on Saturday."
Read Swanny's match report: Blackburn 5, Posh 2 - Red card was rough luck on plucky Posh
Lewis will now be suspended for the crunch Championship home clash against Barnsley at London Road on Saturday. Ferguson confirmed he plans to draft in a new goalkeeper on loan rather than pitch rookie James McKeown into battle.
Central defender Gaby Zakunai and striker Craig Mackail-Smith will both be available for that fixture after missing the cup loss last night.
Ferguson added: "We monitor the progress of lots of players in all positions and we have a couple of goalkeepers on the radar.
"I would say there is a strong possibility that we will bring someone in quickly."
Charlie Lee suffered bad bruising to his lower right leg and ankle after being on the receiving end of a thumping challenge last night.
Ferguson will assess his condition ahead of the Barnsley date.
Lee's departure with injury led to the arrival of Martin who endured an awful night.
RECENT recruits Scott Griffiths and Ryan Bennett will both line up for Posh Reserves in a friendly fixture at Histon tonight (7.30pm kick-off).
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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