REACTION: Fergie fury at a terrible result as Posh deliver their worst performance in months

Goals from Siriki Dembele and Sammie Szmodics saw Posh in complete control at the break, but they collapsed in the second half and were close to losing as Rochdale went 3-2 ahead in the 90th minute.

Fortunately for Posh they rescued a point with a 93rd penalty from Jonson Clarke-Harris, but that didn’t alter Ferguson’s mood.

Nor did the fact that the top five all drew so Posh remain second in the table ahead of a tough trip to in form play-off chasers Blackpool on Tuesday (March 23).

“The players need not think that was a point gained just because we scored a 93rd minute equaliser,” Ferguson moaned. “This was two points dropped and I’m annoyed, frustrated and angry. It’s a terrible result.

“We were unrecognisable in the second half. We stopped doing the things we had been doing. It was the worst performance since we lost at Portsmouth in December and we cannot afford any more of them.

“Our position in the table hasn’t changed which is good, but this was a great chance to make a psychological impression on our rivals by winning handsomely.

“We are second top for a reason and we were playing the team second bottom who have won just one home game all season.

“So when we are 2-0 up at the break, just kick on, keep passing the ball well and score more goals. We should be enjoying this challenge. We should be embracing the opportunity we have to show we are ready for promotion. Instead that second half looked like a chore, a real struggle, a real slog.

“We stopped playing and we conceded poor goals. It’s a very disappointing result and performance and we only have ourselves to blame.

“We were in total control in the first-half and scored two very good goals. The third goal was always going to be important and we never looked like getting it. My players should have shown more arrogance on the ball

“The teams that win promotion tend to be professional and ruthless and we were neither.”

Teenager Harrison Burrows missed the game with a hamstring issue, but is expected to return at Blackpool.

Szmodics was taken off after an hour to protect his sore ankle.