Peterborough United manager proud of how his side stood up to a tough physical examination at Rotherham United

Posh extended their unbeaten run to six matches on New Year’s Day with a 2-0 victory in South Yorkshire. Posh had to be patient and got the breakthrough on the hour mark courtesy of a Joe Rafferty own goal before a Brandon Khela strike, with just his second touch after coming off the bench, sealing a win that pushed them into the top half of the table for the first time this season.

Williams was proud of the way his side stood up to a physical home side with goalkeeper Alex Bass and wide players Kyrell Lisbie and Declan Frith coming in for some particularly tough treatment.

Williams said: “A clean sheet and two goals away from home is pretty much as good as it can get. The first half was a bit clunky and sticky and the opposition stopped us getting into our flow. We made too many unforced errors, but the team was together out there, stuck in the game and it opened up a bit more for us in the second half.

“They were very physical, particularly with the wide players in the first half, which is a good idea to be fair. There is a line there you mustn’t cross and they stayed just inside that line. We knew we had to stand up to that and that the players couldn’t shy away from it and they absolutely didn’t. Kyrell got some really hard treatment and so did Declan, but they were brave enough to continue to take the ball and stand up to that physical challenge.

“That’s part and parcel of football unfortunately and talented players won’t be allowed just have their own way. Opponents will be tough and attempt to knock you off your stride. We are becoming more accustomed to that and we have to learn to deal with that and be brave enough to continue to play.

“And you’ve seen again, players ready to jump into the game from the bench with a great attitude and they helped to secure the victory.

“The spaces weren’t there as much in the first half and the opposition had the energy and freshness to shut doors and stop us. We still wasted some opportunities, but we were more tuned in and brighter in the second half aas the game started to open up. That enabled us to get forward and exploit the gaps.

“Brandon is a really good strong-minded character and he’s got quality. I couldn’t be happier to see him come into the game and see him make a really important action.”

Posh have only two days off before travelling to another physically powerful side in Lincoln City, who sit second in League One, on Sunday (January 4, noon kick-off). The Imps drew 1-1 at home against Huddersfield today on a day in which none of the top eight in League One picked up a win.