REPORT: Peterborough United 1, Hull City 3: Self-inflicted wounds sent Posh spinning to defeat in the big top-of-the-table clash

Posh scored early through Reece Brown and although conceding an equaliser to a set-piece, they were much the better side until Ethan Hamilton’s rush of blood just before the break.

The midfielder, who had been cautioned early, lunged in late on Hull right-back Lewie Coyle and collected an obvious second yellow. Posh hopes went down the tunnel with him.

It took three minutes of the second-half for Hull to get in front and the table-toppers effectively sealed the points from the penalty spot before the hour mark.

Posh pulled away gamely, but Hull ‘keeper Matt Ingram, who had been busy before the break, had a comfortable second-half.

Posh boss Darren Ferguson resisted the temptation to play Harrison Burrows and instead named the same side that started Saturday’s disappointing defeat at Burton.

Hull were without target man Josh Magennis, but recalled young talent Keane Lewis-Potter.

Posh started in wing back formation and it appeared to throw the visitors who were run ragged in the opening stages.

Joe Ward fizzed a cross across goal in the opening minute and from the corner Nathan Thompson was found free at the far post but there was no-one to take advantage of his knock back.

Posh were not to be denied for long though. A superb eighth minute pass from Hamilton to Butler was followed by a fine cross which Sammie Szmodics controlled with the ball breaking for Brown who sidefooted home.

Ward saw a fierce shot well saved by Ingram as Posh dominated midfield before Hull found an equaliser from a set-piece.

Mark Beevers was penalised for a foul on Mallik Wilks and League One assist king George Honeyman floated over a superb free kick which was headed home by centre back Reece Burke.

Posh responded well with Frankie Kent forcing a terrific save from Ingram with a fierce long-range drive, but the match turned on Hamilton’s moment of madness.

The midfielder had quite rightly been cautioned for a trip on Honeyman in the 15th minute so his dive in on Lewie Coyle in the 42nd minute was ill advised. Referee John Busby took advice from his fourth official before brandishing the red card.

Hull almost took the lead as Posh reorganised into a flat back four. Honeyman found room in the penalty area, but sliced his shot badly wide.

Back came Posh though with Ward firing a long-range free kick against the post with Jonson Clarke-Harris unable to keep his shot from the rebound down.

Posh sent on defender Niall Mason in place of Szomidics and planted him in midfield.

But it took Hull just three minutes to break Posh down. The visitors worked the ball down the left and Callum Elder’s driven cross was turned in by Lewis-Potter.

Posh were all at sea and surrendered the points when Frankie Kent, after making an interception, slipped and then tripped Honeyman who had sneaked by him with the ball. Wilks slotted home the penalty.

Posh kept working hard, but couldn’t generate any pressure on a suspect defence. Dembele’s sidefoot which was blocked 10 minutes from time was the only time a reply looked a possibility.

Posh: Christy Pym, Dan Butler, Mark Beevers, Nathan Thompson, Frankie Kent, Joe Ward (sub Harrison Burrows, 72 mins), Ethan Hamilton, Reece Brown, Siriki Dembele, Samme Szmodics (sub Niall Mason, 46 mins), Jonson Clarke-Harris (sub Ricky-Jade Jones, 82 mins)

Unused subs: Dan Gyollai, Mo Eisa, Louis Reed, Idris Kanu.

Hull: Matt Ingram, Callum Elder, Jacob Greaves, Reece Burke, Lewis Coyle, Greg Docherty, Alfie Jones, Gavin Whyte (sub, Tom Eaves 67 mins), George Honeyman. Malik Wilks, Keane Lewis-Potter (sub James Scott, 82 mins).

Unused subs: George Long, Dan Crowley, Joshua Emmanuel, Regan Slater, Andrew Smith.

Goals: Posh - Brown (8 mins).

Hull - Burke (19 mins), Lewis-Potter (48 mins), Willks (pen, 59 mins).

Red card: Posh - Hamilton (second yellow card, foul)

Cautions: Posh - Hamilton (foul), Dembele (foul).

Referee: John Busby 8.