Peterborough United manager wants players to grasp the chance to deliver a feelgood finish to a frustrating season

Williams admits he finds it hard to believe Posh are in a position of still needing a point to escape relegation with two matches to play, especially after the initial surge in form which followed his appointment to the London Road hotseat.

Posh host Mansfield on Tuesday (7.45pm kick off) before Doncaster Rovers visit the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday so their fate is very much in their own hands. Even if they lost both games Exeter City would still have to beat play-off chasing Bradford City at St James Park on Saturday and overturn a considerable goal difference disadvantage to overtake Posh.

Orient, who are home to Burton Albion at the weekend, are the only other team still in danger of relegation.

First things first though and Posh tackle a Mansfield team Williams believes are the best his side have faced in his tenure. Posh still won that game at the One Call Stadium 2-1. They haven’t won an away game since.

On-loan right back Peter Kioso has recovered from illness and is available tomorrow. He will re-join a squad Williams insists is committed to the club, despite some suggestions to the contrary from frustrated supporters.

"There has certainly not been a lack of effort or care from this group,” Williams insisted. “I don’t accept that would ever be the case with these players. If it was I would be devastated.

"Players have been suffering from a lack of energy and there can be many reasons for that. We need to get through that and replicate what Harry Leonard showed against Burton recently. He has probably played more minutes this season than at any time in his career and he has probably felt exhaustion, but he was still so driven that day it was impossible to stop him scoring.

"It is hard to believe we are in the position we are, but we are still in control of our own fate and we have to be thankful for that. We are facing a brilliant team tomorrow. I was so impressed with how they played against us earlier in the season. It was the best I’ve seen a team play against us. They were outstanding and yet we won the game thanks to a refusal to let the ball go into our net and because we were ruthless when we had the chance to score, so we know we can beat them no matter how good they are.

"I want us to be proactive though. I don’t want to see a team crossing their fingers and hoping to get through a game. We have to have the energy to defend and attack correctly in equal measures. We have to run through any uncertainty we have.

“It has been a frustrating season, but we can still create a favourable lasting impression by playing well in our last two home matches.”