REPORT: Peterborough United v Bristol Rovers: Posh frustrated by their former goalkeeper

The match finished goalless which will be a mystery to Posh boss Darren Ferguson’s side who had 18 shots at goal, 11 of them on target, but virtually all were hit too close to former London Road ‘keeper Joe Day.

To their credit a Rovers side who had lost their previous five competitive matches stayed positive throughout themselves and always carried a threat without testing Posh number one Christy Pym too often.

The more interesting team news came from the visitors’ squad as former Posh favourite Erhun Oztumer was back after illness. He joined other ex-Posh men Jack Baldwin and Day in the Rovers starting line-up.

Posh were unchanged from the weekend, but the players found themselves embroiled in a much more positive and entertaining encounter. Both sides pushed forward at every opportunty and shots rained in on the goalkeepers.

Posh looked likely to benefit from space in front of and behind a Rovers back three and ‘keeper Day had to be quick off his line top thwart Jonson Clarke-Harris in the third minute.

Well struck shots from Dembele and Sammie Szmodics were well handled by Day before the visitors found their stride with Oztumer prominent.

Posh ‘keeper Christy Pym made a fine low save to thwart Brandon Hanlon with Frankie Kent making a terrific tackle to deny Oztumer a tap-in.

Oztumer’s superb pass was then volleyed against the outside of a post by Sam Nicholson 10 minutes before the break.

Posh always looked a threat when breaking. Dan Butler’s fine tackle and run was ruined by a sliced shot, Jack Taylor curled over after some decent interplay and Butler forced Day into a full-length save.

The second-half wasn’t quite so relentless as another cloying pitch started to take its toll once Taylor had seen a fierce strike beaten away by Day.

Rovers again saw plenty of the ball without creating a lot, although Nathan Thompson had to react well to clear from under his own crossbar after a deep cross had been brilliantly retrieved.

Posh created the better chances though none more so when Dembele skipped around Day in the 73rd minute only for Alfie Kilgour to get back and clear off the line.

Day made another solid stop five minutes from time from a 25 yard-free kick from Clarke-Harris five minutes from time.

And Day stood firm during six minutes of added time beating away shots from Dembele and substitute Harrison Burrows.

Posh dominated the final stages, but had to accept the end of a three-game winning run.

Posh: Christy Pym, Dan Butler (sub Harrison Burrows, 75 mins), Mark Beevers, Nathan Thompson, Frankie Kent, Idris Kanu, Jack Taylor, Reece Brown (sub Ethan Hamilton, 73 mins), Sammie Szmodics, Siriki Dembele, Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Unused subs: Dan Gyollai, Mo Eisa, Ryan Broom, Ricky-Jade Jones, Niall Mason

Rovers: Joe Day, George Williams, Max Ehmer, Jack Badwin, Alfie Kilgour, Luke Leahy, Abumere Ogogo, Joshua Grant Erhun Oztumer (sub Zain Westbrooke, 68 mins), Sam Nicholson (sub Jonah Ayunga, 68 mins), Brandon Hanlan

Unused subs: Jordi van Stappershoef, David Tutonda, Cian Harries, , Alex Rodman, Luke McCormick.

Cautions: Posh - Thompson (foul), Beevers (foul).

Rovers - Kilgour (foul), Ogogo (foul), Leahy (foul).

Referee: Graham Salisbury 7