Peterborough United end a six-game losing streak with a comfortable EFL Trophy win over Spurs

First-half goals from Josh Knight and Ricky-Jade Jones plus a quality second-half finish from substitute Jack Marriott meant Posh halted a frustrating six-game losing streak.

There will be much bigger challenges to come, but for now Posh can revel in a first victory since August 20, while certain members of the hierarchy could look forward to switching social media on with less trepidation than of late.

Posh made just three changes to the team that started Saturday’s League One defeat at Bolton Wanderers. Presumably the desire to end that six-game losing streak, even against a bunch of kids, trumped the need for rest and rotation.

Out went Nathan Thompson, Ronnie Edwards and Harrison Burrows. Edwards is on international duty with England Under 20s. Joe Taylor reports to Wales Under 21s tomorrow so started on the bench

Also absent were most of the Posh fans. Poor form and a largely irrelevant competition is a test for the most ardent fan’s loyalty.

In from the start came Dan Butler, Frankie Kent and Joe Ward. Ward was the right-back in a flat back four with Butler at left-back in his first senior start since December. One assumed the front three in this game would be the front three in a much more important game against Port Vale on Saturday, or maybe not given Marriott’s contribution.

The forwards certainly started in lively fashion. A fine run past his marker and accurate cross from Jones led to Jonson Clarke-Harris sidefooting over the bar from 16 yards.

Kwame Poku then did well to keep a Butler cross alive. He laid the ball back to Ward who delivered a perfect cross on to the head of Clarke-Harris, but the ball sailed over the crossbar from eight yards out.

Jones saw another shot deflected just wide, but just as the bright start appeared to fade, Posh took a 19th minute lead with a giant helping hand from Spurs ‘keeper Adam Hayton.

Poku’s right wing corner was fiercely delivered, but Hayton really should have collected it. Instead the ball slipped through his grasp enabling Knight to convert his second goal from inside a yard of the season.

The match became even more comfortable for Posh just past the half hour mark. Poku’s work down the right was excellent, better than Jack Taylor’s shot, but again Hayton was found wanting and Jones was on hand to sweep the ball home.

Ward sent over a 38th minute cross that Poku me first-time on the half volley, but the ball whistled wide.

Posh should have scored a third goal four minutes before the break after Hayton made a terrific save to thwart Taylor’s rasping drive, but Clarke-Harris blazed wide with the goal at his mercy.

That was to be the last involvement for the Posh skipper as he was one of three players to be taken off at half-time. Ben Thompson and Taylor also departed with Jack Marriott, Hector Kyprianou and Joel Randall the men to come on.

And Marriott didn’t take long to make his mark. Some excellent pressing from Jones led to a defensive error with the ball falling to Marriott who took two touches into the penalty area before curling into the opposite top corner of the net. It was a classy finish.

Posh ‘keeper Lucas Bergstrom’s first save of the match arrived in the 57th minute and it was a good one to keep out Romain Mundle’s strike.

Marriott continued to look sharp. He sent an overhead kick straight at Hayton after forcing the ‘keeper into a good save after accepting a fine Kyprianou pass and shooting low and hard at goal.

Substitute Joe Taylor was next to test Hayton 10 minutes from time following a neat through ball from the impressive Poku and again the ‘keeper saved well.

Randall should have scored 10 minutes from time after Ward had received a Poku pass and crossed accurately to the far post.

Spurs kept plugging away, but were largely restricted to shots from outside the area, none of which tested Bergstrom or his defenders.

Job done and now to end the four-game losing run in League One.

Posh: Lucas Bergstrom, Dan Butler (sub Harrison Burrows, 78 mins), Josh Knight, Frankie Kent, Jeando Fuchs, Jack Taylor (sub Joel Randall, 46 mins), Ben Thompson (sub Hector Kyprianou, 46 mins), Joe Ward, Kwame Poku, Ricky-Jade Jones (sub Joe Taylor, 66 mins), Jonson Clarke-Harris (sub Jack Marriott, 46 mins)..

Unused subs: Will Blackmore, Ephron Mason-Clark.

Spurs: Adam Hayton, Harvey White, Nile John (sub Damola Ajayi, 78 mins), Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Marqes Muir, Romaine Mundle, Max Robson (Brooklyn Lyons Foster, 63 mins), Yago Santiago, Jaden Williams (sub Roshaun Mathurin, 78 mins), Max McKnight, Will Andiyapan (sub George Abbott, 58 mins).

Unused subs: Josh Keeley, Archie Chaplin.

Goals: Posh – Knight (18 mins), Jones (33 mins), Marriott (51 mins).

Cautions; Posh – Fuchs (foul).

Referee: Darren Drysdale 7.

Attendance: 1,898.