Posh boss believes his side could well have secured a pivotal win in the League One title race

Ferguson was impressed with his side’s ability to overcome difficult playing conditions, physically powerful opponents and a dismal first-half display to secure a terrific win.

“There are some games you look back on and think ‘that was a big win,’” Ferguson stated. “And away to Gillingham against a team managed by Steve Evans on a horrible night when you didn’t turn up for the first half could be one of them.

“Steve’s teams never stop trying and never stop running. They were on top in the first-half, but what a response I got from my players.

“We are in a very good place physically and mentally, but we are well aware it could change quickly. There is just no time to relax. We just have to keep pushing.”

Ferguson’s introduction of Siriki Dembele for Mo Eisa at half-time helped the Posh recovery. They were 1-0 down when the natural winger was deployed along with a change in formation.

“I felt sorry for Mo,” Ferguson insisted. “He deserved another start as he’d done well in the last game and Siriki had only one training session in a week, but Mo suffered because of the team’s performance not his own.

“We didn’t get our wingbacks high enough and we didn’t get the ball to them often enough. I changed shape and used two wingers which meant we had four players out wide and Siriki and Joe Ward are tough to handle when they play like they did last night.

“I have to say Siriki looked very sharp. It was the most fluent and threatening we’d looked all season away from home.”

Posh will seek a fourth straight League One win when hosting relegation-haunted AFC Wimbledon at the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday (February 20, 3pm).