Peterborough United boss took delight in the effort levels of his squad as League One leaders were swept aside

Posh struck three past Dave Challinor’s sides to knock them off top spot due to goal difference. Ben Woods, Kyrell Lisbie and Brandon Khela all scored to give Williams his second league win in charge of Posh during which eight goals have been scored and none conceded.

The win moved Posh up two places to 21st and within a point of safety ahead of the rest of the League One programme which takes place on Saturday.

Williams was pleased with the quality his showed in both boxes, but believes other characteristics are just at vital to a team striving to get out of the relegation zone as soon as possible.

Williams said: “I am delighted with the effort. There was some quality, but the effort was the most important thing. The first goal was a really good move and the thing that pleases me is that Harry Leonard was in a position where he would happily turn and shoot, but for the team, he set the ball up for a teammate. That’s a tough decision for him, but one that shows commitment to the team. Ben Woods has so much quality and made it the right decision by scoring.

“Kyrell too has shown he has goalscoring instincts. He repeatedly made the box and back post, which isn’t easy and he got his reward. Then Brandon’s was a brilliant finish because it was so clever. All the angles were gone, the angle was tiny ao the only place to put it was the roof of the net and you have to hit it hard and very quickly.

“The character of the back four was pleasing too. The whole team is trying to defend together, but ultimately you’re relying on the very last line of defence and they were absolutely superb with their concentration and commitment. We have managed to keep a clean sheet against the best side in the division at the moment.

“I want my team to be tough and to deny at one end and create at the other. How we look between both boxes will develop over time, but first and foremost, we are doing a good job at protecting our box and attacking the opposition’s.

“If we play like that, we will get people onside. If they see commitment on the pitch they will give the energy back. There wasn’t a huge crowd, but they gave all the energy they could. I hope we made them feel a bit warmer on a freezing cold night. The fans were absolutely brilliant on what was a bitterly cold evening.

“We still have a long, long way to go. We are still in a very bad position in the table. It’s a good start, but it means nothing if we don’t follow it up.”

Posh return to action on Tuesday night (NOvember 25, 7.45pm) as they face sixth-placed Stevenage at home in a game rearranged from the October international window.