Matchwinner Sammie continues his deadly 2021 form by making it seven goals in nine games

Szmodics has now scored seven goals in his last nine League One appearances after scoring just once in his first 17 outings of the season.

The 26 year-old missed a couple of great chances to complete his hat-trick before he was substituted by manager Darren Ferguson as soon as Jonson Clarke-Harris made it 3-0 in the 90th minute.

Posh were wary of lowly Wimbledon after dropping rare home points against struggling sides Burton Albion and Bristol Rovers this season.

Szmodics said: “We spoke in the dressing room before the game about struggling in some fixtures against sides at the bottom end of the table. We know we can raise our game against the sides at the top, but you have to make sure you pick up points against all of the teams.

“We also had a chat about why we keep making slow starts, I don’t really know why it is, maybe we try and feel our way into games, but either way, we upped the intensity in the second half on and off the ball and got our rewards.

“The gaffer said to me when I came off ‘I know you are fuming that you are not staying on to try and get your hat-trick, but tough,’ which is fair enough to be honest. The game was over at that point. I was just delighted to score twice.

“I have said before that I took myself away from the game over Christmas, just tried to relax and it seems to have had the desired effect.

“I am playing with a lot of freedom and everything seems to be going in, which is obviously very pleasing. It was never a confidence issue, it was more about perhaps trying too hard, but I feel I am back to where I want to be and long may that continue.”

Szmodics will seek a first away goal of the season - all nine of his goals have come at London Road - at Plymouth on Tuesday (February 23).