Posh to use the disappointment of defeat to drive them on at Charlton

Posh travel to the Valley in the knowledge that a maximum of nine points from four matches will seal promotion to the Championship. They would need only six providing they beat fourth-placed Lincoln City at the Weston Homes Stadium next Saturday (May 1).

Not that Ferguson is thinking that far ahead.

“We have always just been focused on the next game,” Ferguson stated. “That won’t change now we are at the business end of the season because every game you play is a big one.

“Promotions are rarely won easily. I did win a promotion with Doncaster with five games to go once, but that was unusual. There will be more twists and turns to come I’m sure.

“The players were desperately disappointed after Tuesday’s defeat and I believe that’s a good thing. They are so enthusiastic and committed to winning every game and to winning promotion.

“One defeat can’t change what happened over the previous 42 games. The players have been fantastically good so far this season. We are four points off top spot with a game in hand and seven points clear of third and that’s a great position to be in.

“Charlton are going well under a very good, experienced manager who has won promotion from this division before. They will be full of confidence after a fantastic win (6-0) at Plymouth on Tuesday, but we are also one of the form teams in the division and we’ve wwon our last two away matches without conceding a goal.

“We will need to start better than we have been doing though. The last time we started aggressively and on the front foot was the Accrington home game when we were 2-0 up after nine minutes. That’s how we need to start games.”

Midfielder Reece Brown is expected to miss the game at Charlton with a hamstring problem. Ethah Hamilton or Louis Reed will replace him.

“It’s not looking good for Reece,” Ferguson admitted. “Ethan and Louis are very different players so I have a decision to make there, but both have played recently and done well so I have no concerns with either of them.”

League One leaders Hull City could be promoted with a win at Lincoln tomorrow. Third-placed Sunderland host Accrington.