Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson: ‘Completely unacceptable and appalling,’ as his team are deservedly dumped out of the FA Cup by minnows

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson offered up no excuses for a ‘completely unacceptable’ perforance as his side were dumped out of the FA Cup by non-league Chorley at the West Homes Stadium today (November 28).
Chorley players celebrate on the final whistle after knocking Posh out of the FA Cup. Photo: David Lowndes.Chorley players celebrate on the final whistle after knocking Posh out of the FA Cup. Photo: David Lowndes.
Chorley players celebrate on the final whistle after knocking Posh out of the FA Cup. Photo: David Lowndes.

Chorley, who play three divisions lower than Posh, won the second round tie 2-1 and Ferguson admitted they deserved a far greater margin of victory.

Posh led through an eary Jack Taylor goal, but Chorley scored twice in three second-half minutes, hit the woodwork and failed to convert a penalty.

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“There are times when you lose when you’re a bit unlucky and the opposition score from their only two shots, but this was nothing like that,” Ferguson stated.

Posh players, from left, Idris Kanu, Reece Brown and Siriki Dembele troop off after their FA Cup defeat at the hands of Chorley.  Photo: David Lowndes.Posh players, from left, Idris Kanu, Reece Brown and Siriki Dembele troop off after their FA Cup defeat at the hands of Chorley.  Photo: David Lowndes.
Posh players, from left, Idris Kanu, Reece Brown and Siriki Dembele troop off after their FA Cup defeat at the hands of Chorley. Photo: David Lowndes.

“We enjoyed the perfect start with a good finish from Jack, but from then on we were second best all over the pitch. They dominated us and we can have no complaints about the result. Chorley were excellent, they deserved to win by more and I hope they go on and get a great draw in the third round.

“They hit the bar and the post, and they missed a penalty, whereas we had one shot on target in the second half and that’s not good enough.

“Our performance was completely unacceptable and always will be. I will have to dig deep to find the reasons why and to find answers and solutions. I have my suspicions, but I will go through it with the players tomorrow and take it from there.”

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Posh were missing top scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris because of an ankle injury, but 10 of the players who started the last League One game started this game.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson during the FA Cup defeat to Chorley.  Photo: David Lowndes.Posh boss Darren Ferguson during the FA Cup defeat to Chorley.  Photo: David Lowndes.
Posh boss Darren Ferguson during the FA Cup defeat to Chorley. Photo: David Lowndes.

“We had one player missing from the side that won and played well against Plymouth on Tuesday,” Ferguson added. “Obviously he is a big player for us as we have no-one else like him, but this result can’t be put down the absence of one man.

“As a team we were appalling.”

Ferguson needs to lift his players before Wednesday’s League One trip to AFC Wimbledon (December 2).