REACTION: Posh boss hails a big, big win for his side as the race for automatic promotion hots up

Posh looked set to lose ground in the race for automatic promotion as main rivals Sunderland and Hull went in front in their games in the final stages, but Ferguson’s men remain second ahead of a huge match with Sunderland at the Weston Homes Stadium on Monday (3pm).

Ferguson had gambled by leaving fit-again star men Siriki Dembele and Jack Taylor on the substitutes’ bench, but they were on the pitch when Clarke-Harris netted his 26th League One goal of the season direct from a free kick.

Ferguson said: “It is a big win for us. The goal came late and that can often be the best time to score as there is no time for the opponent to come back at us.

“I fancied Jonno when the free-kick was given. It was a great strike and it is another clean sheet and they are going to be so important, they really are.

“It is another win away from home. It was a much needed win and I thought it was a game that we started both halves really well in.

“Towards the end of the first half we petered out a little. We just needed to up it and we would go on and win it and so it proved.

“I named the same side because we were so good in the win over Accrington. I knew I had good options from the bench to change it if we needed to.

“And when we made the changes, Jack Taylor was outstanding, while Siriki gives you that unpredictability going the other way and he got into a couple of really good positions.

“We can now look forward to a big game on Monday against Sunderland, live on the TV at home. It is just a shame there won’t be any fans to see it in the stadium. That game won’t define our season as there will still be a lot of points to play for.”