Fergie backs his players to stay cool and get over the line into the Championship

Joe Ward of Peterborough United cuts a frustrated figure during the draw with Doncaster Rovers. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Ferguson felt his side lacked composure during Tuesday night’s frustrating 2-2 draw with Doncaster Rovers.

A win would have sealed automatic promotion for Posh. Now they need just a point from a game against their last remaining promotion rivals this weekend.

A defeat would give Lincoln the chance to take the race for promotion to the final day by winning at Charlton next Tuesday (May 4).

Ferguson expects plenty of tension to surround the contest with the Imps, but he is adamant his players have the character and the bottle to get the result they need.

“We’ve come so far this season I can’t see us throwing it away now,” Ferguson said. “Anyone looking at the table seeing us eight points clear of third would think it’s game over already, but it’s different when you are directly involved.

“It certainly isn’t all over, but I do remain confident we will get over the line.

“We were disappointed not to win and clinch promotion on Tuesday. We lacked composure on the ball in the second-half, but we will try and put that right on Saturday. There is a character and bottle in the team as they showed when winning at Charlton last weekend. We started last weekend seven points ahead of Lincoln and now we are eight points so clear so it’s not been a bad week even though we missed a great chance to get over the line on Tuesday.

“We will regroup and focus on Lincoln now. The players will be reminded how well they have done over 44 games and not how disappointing the last result was. I want them to enjoy the game and stick to our principles on how to play the game. “e went away from that bit on Tuesday.

“Obviously it’s a tough game as Lincoln are a very good side. In fact it’s two good sides full of good players, but we still look fit and strong.

“Apart from Tuesday I guess, when we we’ve badly needed to win games we’ve done it and Saturday’s match falls into that category. We don’t want things to drag on into the final weekend.”

If Posh lose on Saturday they would still only require a point from their final game at Doncaster on May 9 to go up barring a 13-goal swing in goal difference towards Lincoln.