‘This team never knows when they’re beaten.’ Posh resilience is praised as manager’s motivational tactics ahead of a huge game are revealed

Nathan Thompson looks thrilled after Posh won promotion to the Championship. Photo: David Lowndes.

Posh fought back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Lincoln City at the Weston Homes Stadium to clinch the point they needed to secure a top two finish behind champions Hull City. Top scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris grabbed a 96th minute equaliser - his second of the game - from the penalty spot.

Thompson, one of the stars of the Posh season, also revealed how manager Darren Ferguson motivated his players ahead of a huge contest against the only team who could stop them going up automatically.

“The gaffer tried a different approach before the game,” Thompson disclosed. “He used a visualisation technique by pinning up some of the fantastic grounds we would be visiting next season if we were to go up.

“It’s surreal that it’s actually happened, particularly because of how it happened so I don’t think it will properly sink in until next week.

“We’ve shown great resilience all season. I believe we have the best record for turning games around in the division and that’s because we never know when we are beaten.

“It wasn’t ideal falling so far behind, but in a way it probably suited us to chase the game rather than try and hold on to something when we might have got too nervy.

“We’ve finished games strongly on a lot of occasions and we did it again, and how fitting that Jonson Clarke-Harris scored the goal that got us up. What a sesaon he’s had.

“For me it’s a special achievement because it’s the first promotion I’ve been properly involved in. I went up with Swindon once, but only played about 10 games.

“Peterborough have always been in and around the promotion picture in recent seasons so I’m delighted for everyone involved with the club that we’ve won promotion. It would have been a crying shame if we’d missed out again.

“The celebrations with the fans afterwards was so special. It’s been incredibly difficult for them not to have been able to watch and it’s been difficult for us not to have their support inside the ground.

“We’re all so pleased we could give them something to celebrate.”

Posh have picked up 22 points after conceding the first goal in a game this season, seven more than any other League One team.