REACTION: Fergie frustrated by his team’s defending as well as a first half red card which ruined a fantastic start to the game

Posh had dominated the early stages of the top of the table clash and led early through Reece Brown’s goal.

Posh were still in control after Hull had equalised from a set-piece, but Ethan Hamilton’s second yellow card just before the break gave the leaders the upper hand and they took full advantage with two goals early in the second half.

Ferguson said: “We were outstanding for the first 20 minutes of the game. I couldn’t believe how in control we were, we could have been three goals to the good. I thought our shape caused them all kinds of problems from minute one.

“We then conceded a terrible goal from a set-piece. That was very disappointing. With regards to the sending off, I thought the first booking was soft, because it is his first tackle in the game, but when you have been cautioned you have to stay on your feet. When I watched it live, I actually thought he (Hamilton) was fouled, but when you watch it back, it is a yellow card.

“We made the change at the break to bring Sammie Szmodics off and bring Niall on because he is a bit more defensive minded. Sammie was playing well so it was a tough decision to make, but we had to shore it up in there.

“At half-time, I said we are still very much in the game, keep the shape, see how long you can take it into the second half because you will get chances, but we have conceded two more terrible goals.

“I have to say the manner of the goals we have conceded of late has been not good enough. The opposition haven’t had to work for it. It is not good enough.

“Rather than focussing on the red card, we have to look at the goals that we gave away, they were terrible goals to concede and our set-pieces with 10 men were nowhere near good enough. When you have 10 men, the set-pieces are key and we didn’t cause them any problems from them.

“I am disappointed to lose the game, 11 v 10 or 11 v 11 and I thought had it stayed as an 11 v 11 game, we were very much in control of the game.”

Posh stayed second as third-placed Lincoln City drew 1-1 at Ipswich. Fourth-placed Sunderland are now within two points of Posh after a 2-0 win at Portsmouth.

Posh are next in League One action at home to Portsmouth next Tuesday (March 16).