Peterborough United boss admits age and experience helped Stevenage 'unsettle' his side on the way to victory

Posh suffered their first defeat under Williams with a 1-0 loss at home to Stevenage; with the only goal coming from Jamie Reid’s penalty following a Tom O’Connor handball.

The flashpoint of the game came just after the hour mark when Posh felt they were denied a penalty for Dan Phillips appearing to control the ball with his arm inside the box.

Posh remained in the relegation places while the visitors jumped five places to the top of the table.

Williams was disappointed with how Stevenage were able to unsettle his side and insisted the difference in experience between the sides was telling.

Williams did admit Posh did not deserve anything from the game. He said: “We didn’t deserve anything from the game. In the first half, we were beaten up and outplayed. We left ourselves a mountain to climb against that type of opposition.

“Although the opener was from the spot, there was an anxiety about us. The gameplan was good from them, but we allowed them to make us feel panicky and we started to misplace passes. There was too many mistakes. They were very aggressive and good at unsettling us. It looked like a very senior team against a young team.

“Tom Lees showed a real calmness and composure. Jimmy-Jay Morgan was very self-assured, but there were certain players that found that more difficult.

“There were simple actions we got flustered with. There were misplaced passes and misplaced touches because we were out of sorts and we were thrown off our stride by the opposition. We need to work on things and not be overwhelmed by the energy and aggression of the other team.

“They are top of the league for the reason. We need to try and match that physicality and controlled aggression or we will only be half a team.

“It was strange (for the penalty appeal). It seemed quite clear, but I’ve not got the best view in the house and I respect the referee. He has a good view and I have to respect that.

“We were better in the second half. Matty Garbett came on and showed his quality. By the end of the game, the opposition were deep and very compact and he can operate in those positions. Declan Firth also showed he could go beyond his man and get into the box so they were two good performances.

“We have scored a lot of goals lately in getting some good results so don’t be surprised if the opposition turn up here with a different gameplan. It’s the first time they have played in a back five so it was difficult to fully prepare because you don’t expect that. Certain teams are going to be more determined to defend their box against us.

“The group shouldn’t be down. There is no major reason to feel negative. We have to turn up on Saturday with a really good reaction and a lot of attitude.”

Posh return to League One action on Saturday with a trip to Doncaster. Posh have already sold over 1,600 tickets and know that victory will definitely lift them out of the bottom four.