Grant McCann praises a 'complete performance' as Peterborough United were seen off at Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann said his side delivered a ‘complete performance’ in beating Peterborough United 2-1 in a League One fixture at the Eco-Power Stadium on Saturday.
Posh would have leapfrogged McCann’s men with a win, but a dozy first-half display left them with too much do in the second-half. As a result Posh remained in the relegation zone on a day when the bottom five all lost. Doncaster are six points and three places above Posh having played a game more after securing a first League One win since September 5.
Jordan Gibson scored both Doncaster goals in the opening 23 minutes. Substitute Harry Leonard replied for Posh early in the second-half.
McCann, a former Posh boss and playing hero, told the Doncaster Free Press: “It was a complete performance from us. In the first half we suffocated them, didn't give them a chance to play. They're a possession-based team. Luke Williams’ teams have always been like that so we set our press up a little bit differently. The first two goals have come from that sort of press.
"The first goal is an outstanding goal. If that was Mo Salah for Liverpool tonight on Match of the Day, they'd be singing the praises for that pass from Luke Molyneux. That's the second time he's done that this season, and what a run from ‘Gibbo’.
"The second goal is a great example of the press. George Broadbent picked it up and played a great slide pass to ‘Gibbo’ to finish. Then in the second half, they've scored and got back into the game, and we had to defend. To win any game of football, you have to show both sides to your game, and I felt we showed that for 90 minutes.
"The game should have been dead at half-time though. It's a stone-wall penalty when their guy has just ragged Brandon Hanlon to the floor, but we didn't get it. We don't get penalties, do we? There must be some sort of thing that the referees aren't allowed to give us any penalties!"
Peter Kioso was the man lucky not to concede the penalty.
Posh are back in action in a Vertu Trophy last-32 tie at Swindon on Tuesday (Dec 2, 7.30pm) and then they host Barnsley in a second round FA Cup tie at the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday, December 6). The next League One game is at Reading on Tuesday, December 9.