Disappointment for Darren Ferguson as he felt Peterborough United's lack or ruthlessness finally caught up with them

Posh lost for just the second time in 23 League One matches, both of them against the Latics.

The 3-2 scoreline did not look as harsh as it could have been as stoppage time goals from Josh Knight and Ricky-Jade Jones came after Posh had fallen 3-0 behind to a Thelo Aasgaard double and a Josh Magennis flick.

Posh were, however, made to pay for not putting away their chances in a first half in particular in which they played well.

Ferguson’s men have now slipped down to fourth following victories for Portsmouth and Derby, over Northampton and Charlton respectively. Bolton only moved a point further clear after drawing 1-1 at home with Barnsley.

Ferguson bemoaned his side’s profligacy in defeat as well as their defending for the third goal, which proved crucial in the end.

Ferguson said: “In the first half we were really good. We played very well and I said at half time, we just had to keep doing what we were doing.

“Unfortunately, it’s been mentioned a few times about us not being ruthless enough in front of goal and it’s caught up with us today. We need to have that ruthless edge to get the goal. We score the first goal here and we win comfortably.

“The goals we conceded were momentum shifters. They were hanging on a bit as we were really dominant, more dominant than I thought we might be.

“We just had to get that first goal and we had opportunities to do it ,but for the final ball, final shot or final cross. We worked it into really good attacking areas, but then we conceded a really soft goal, from their first shot at goal.

“We spoke at the break about keep believing that we’re going to get there, like we have many times this season, and to keep doing the right things.

"I’ve got to find a way of improving our second halves at home because we started the second half terribly again and they’re 2-0 up all of a sudden.

“I said at that time, even if it takes until 90 minutes to get the goal back, you’ll get something out of this game. I really felt that.

“We were naive for the third goal and it’s a killer because if we don’t concede that, we do get something out of the game.

“When you’re playing at home, it’s 2-0 and they get a man sent off, even if you’re playing rubbish and you get a goal in the 91st minute, it changes the momentum. The crowd were almost dragging the ball towards the goal after our second goal.

“But we cannot concede the third goal like we did, he’s walked past us. It was really, really soft.

“I thought we would get an equaliser in stoppage time. But at 3-2 the lads were naive again. They kept passing it square when we should just put the ball in the box. We’ve loaded the box and just got two goals, but we’re looking for the extra pass.

“I actually thought we’d get an equaliser. That’s what I mean about the third being a killer. We score two really good goals from really good crosses and they’re panicking.

“It’s a disappointing result. We’ve lost to Wigan twice now and I don’t know how.

“It’s important how we react now to a bit of adversity as it’s never going to be all perfect. The two goals we scored late on were massive, 3-0 looks like a hammering and 3-2 helps the goal difference which will play a part this season.

“We went on a run after losing to Wigan the first time and the same again would be good.”

Posh have the opportunity to immediately bounce back on Tuesday night at Exeter and can go as high as second if Bolton fail to beat Cambridge.

Exeter were beaten 1-0 at home by Bristol Rovers on Saturday.