MATCH REACTION: McCann admits Posh were poor

An early goal from striker Jordy Hiwula settled the destination of the points, but McCann accepted his side were second best in all areas of the pitch for most of the game.

It was a first defeat as Posh boss for McCann.

“We were poor,” McCann admitted. “We actually started a little bit better than the two previous games, but then we conceded a sloppy goal and from then until the final 20 minutes we lacked energy and legs.

“We huffed and puffed for the most part, but until the latter stages we didn’t threaten to get back into the game. We got what we deserved in the end which was nothing.

“For some reason we were way off the pace. Our sharpness wasn’t there. It was nothing to be with a lack of experience. We are experienced enough. We just weren’t at the races.

“Our home form is a big thing for me this season. We have been a shambles at home over the last year and I will make sure we are much better this season.

“The fans stayed with us and got behind us towards the end, but we didn’t do enough to get anything from the game.

“I’ll have to look back at the goal again, but a centre-forward should never be alone in the penalty area.”

Posh host promotion fancies Millwall on Tuesday (August 16) when midfielder Jermaine Anderson is expected to return to the starting line-up. His arrival as a second-half substitute today co-incided with an improvement in Posh form.

“I was pleased with Jermaine,” McCann added. “He gave us some energy and power. We have to be very careful with him as he is coming back from a bad injury, but if he plays likle he did today he will be staying in my side.

“It’s another tough game on Tuesday as Millwall, like Bradford, made the play-offs last season, but we mustn’t lose two games in a row at home.”

Centre-back Ryan Tafazolli was left out of the Posh squad today after failing to recover from a hamstring problem.