Peterborough United need to realise they are in a relegation battle, a fact confirmed by this dismal defeat

There has been too much complacent talk in press conferences, on podcasts and from fans on social media. This team isn’t too good to go down. One win in 11 games is relegation form and now they’ve lost 3-1, comfortably, at home to a team doomed to the drop. The lowest scorers in the division scored three and could have scored more, even though they were playing under the serious handicap of a second game in three days.

Posh were atrocious from start to finish. The starting line-up made little sense, some of the in-game tactics were baffling and the lack of quality, urgency and desire on show was frightening.

Posh conceded early – of course they did – and Vale confirmed their victory with two outstanding free kicks from Ethon Archer, a player long courted by Posh in his Cheltenham days.

A neat finish from James Dornelly from a corner briefly gave Posh hope from 2-0 down on the half hour mark, but they never threatened to score again. The boos rang out at the end of both halves and they were justified.

There was no Jimmy-Jay Morgan, presumably because of injury, for Posh. He was replaced in the starting line-up by Matt Garbett and the Chelsea loanee wasn’t among the substitutes. Central defender David Okagbue was dropped to the bench to accommodate right-back Peter Kioso as a centre-back, while 17 year-old Bolu Shofowoke was handed another start. Ben Woods was again absent.

Port Vale, who are on the verge of relegation, made eight changes to their starting line-up, having drawn 0-0 at to Barnsley on Tuesday.

Posh have made a habit of starting matches poorly and it happened again as Vale struck from their first attack in the third minute. The goal was simplicity itself with a ping out to wing-back Onel Hernandez who slipped a pass to Ryan Croasdale whose finish from the edge of the area was impeccable.

Posh started the game playing long balls out wide to Dornelly and little Shofowoke with predictable little joy. They gave the ball away constantly and looked shaky at the back.

It became 2-0 on 16 minutes when Ethon Archer scored with a sublime free kick from 20 yards, one that arrived after Posh gave the ball away leading to a foul by Kioso.

Posh drummed up five minutes of pressure which culminated in Dornelly’s goal from Garbett’s corner, but the strike didn’t lead to any further chances once Kyrell Lisbie had miscontrolled a fine pass from Garbett who had been set free by a splendid Harley Mills pass.

Posh were slow of thought and deed. Shofowoke skipped around his man a couple of times, but the subsequent crosses were weak and intercepted.

Half time arrived without visiting goalkeeper Joe Gauci making a single save.

Posh started the second-half okay, but in 60 seconds two controversial decisions cost Posh any chance of a comeback. Posh wanted a penalty after Kyrell Lisbie looked to get to a pull-back first, but play went on and a soft free kick conceded by Kioso on Archer at the other end led to a second super set-piece strike from the alleged injured party just before the hour mark

Almost immediately a terrible square pass by Kioso was intercepted by Martin Sherif who managed to shoot wide. Vale always looked likely to score the next goal despite Posh monopolising the ball.

Posh made their substitutions and ran around a bit more with Cian Hayes sparking some attacking interest, but only when Pemi Aderoju headed over from close range from a corner did Posh come close.

This was as dire as its been all season and Posh have picked the wrong time to be in a rut. Previously reliable players have lost form and other key men can’t get or stay fit.

This performance suggested Posh will rely on Exeter City to keep losing to stay up. That’s far from an ideal situation.

Posh: Alex Bass, Harley Mills, Tom Lees, Peter Kioso (sub Pemi Aderoju, 65 mins), James Dornelly, Archie Collins, Brandon Khela (sub Pat Sykut, 85 mins), Matt Garbett (sub David Kamara, 65mins), Kyrell Lisbie, Bolu Shofowoke (sub Cian Hayes, 55 mins), Harry Leonard.

Unused subs: Bastian Smith, David Okagbue, Declan Frith.

Port Vale: Joe Gauci, Jaheem Headley (sub Cameron Humphreys, 71 mins), Connor Hall, Ryan Croasdale, Martin Sherif (sub Ben Waine, 83 mins), Jordan Shipley, Eli Campbell, Grant Ward (sub Dajaune Brown, 84 mins), Tyler Maglore, Ethon Archer, Onel Hernandez (sub Liam Gordon, 52 mins).

Unused subs: Ben Amos, Jack Shorrock, Charlie Bussell.

Posh goals: Dornelly (31 mins).

Vale goals: Croasdale (3 mins), Archer (16 mins & 59 mins).

Posh cautions: Kamara (foul).

Vale cautions: Maglore (foul)

Referee: Harry Wager 5

Attendance: 6,533 (219 Vale).