LIVE: FULL-TIME: ACCRINGTON STANLEY 0, PETERBOROUGH UNITED 2: Posh complete the hat-trick and move up to fourth following a first away win since October

Szmodics struck after 10 minutes with his second goal in two games and Ward tapped in the second goal in the 51st minute on his 100th appearance for the club as Posh moved up to fourth.

Accrington enjoyed plenty of possession in the first-half, but disappeared as an atacking force after the second goal, even relying on their goalkeeper Josef Bursik to take a free kick a goal with miserable results.

It’s a first away win since October 19 for Posh who have forced their way back into the promotion picture thanks to a terrific eight days.

Accrington had a first-minute chance as on-loan Wolves striker Sadou Diallo pounced on a Frankie Kent error, but Posh ‘keeper Christy Pym saved.

Szmodics struck from the edge of the area after an excellent turn and burst forward by Siriki Dembele. The on-loan forward’s shot took a deflection before defeating Bursik at his near post.

It was more than Posh deserved at the time as they struggled to get to grips with the neat passing of the home side.

Accrington also responded well to the Posh goal, pinning their visitors back without creating too many chances. Dion Charles headed a right wing cross wide on 18 minutes before Joe Pritchard missed a great chance just before the half hour mark to equalise.

Posh lost possession on the left, the ball was switched to the centre where on-loan Wolves player Sadou Diallo’s shot was diverted into Pritchard’s path. The angle wasn’t great, but Pym was on the floor so Pritchard would have been disappointed to fire into the crowd.

Posh improved as the half wore on with a stylish run forward from Frankie Kent followed by a fierce hit from 25 yards which Bursik just kept out.

Bursik also dived well to his left to keep out another Szmodics shot five minutes before the break.

Dembele fired over with a dipping volley in the first minute of the second-half, but Posh did not have long to wait to kill the game.

Szmodics sent Ivan Toney through on goal and the club’s top scorer unselfishly squared to Ward who had a simple tap-in.

And it was a cruise for Posh after that. Toney went close with a couple of free-kicks and he also saw a couple of shots blocked.

Dan Butler was aother to be thwarted by a well-positioned defender as Posh strolled to victory.

Posh: Christy Pym, Nathan Thompson (sub Niall Mason, 73 mins), Mark Beevers, Frankie Kent, Joe Ward, Dan Butler, Reece Brown, Jack Taylor, Sammie Szmodics (sub Josh Knight, 67 mins), Ivan Toney, Siriki Dembele (sub Ricky-Jade Jones, 77 mins).

Unused substitutes: Aaron Chapman, Rhys Bennett, George Boyd, Mo Eisa.

Accrington Stanley: Josef Bursik, Callum Johnson, Mark Hughes, Ross Sykes, Joe Pritchard, Ben Barclay (sub, Offrande Zanzala, 62 mins), Jordan Clark, Seamus Conneely, Jerome Opoku (sub, Lamine Kaba Sherriff, 82 mins), Sadou Diallo, Dion Charles.

Unused substitutes: Toby Savin,Joe Maguire, Harvey Rodgers, Harry Perritt, Aji Alese.

Goals: Posh - Szmodics (11 mins), Ward (51 mins).

Accrington -

Cautions: Posh - Butler (foul), Thompson (foul), Kent (foul).

Accrington - Zanzala (foul).

Referee: Anthony Backhouse.

Attendance: 1,816 (192 Posh).