'We've left all our homework until the night before' - Peterborough United boss makes schoolboy comparison as side continue to battle relegation from League One

Williams was bemoaning the way in which his side had left all of the work required to stay in the division right until the last minute.

With just three games left, Posh inched closer to safety with a 1-1 draw at home to Burton Albion on Sunday but it is not mathematically secured. Harry Leonard’s second half strike cancelled out Charlie Webster’s opener to move Posh four points clear of safety. Exeter, in 21st, have only two games left to play, while Posh have three. Realistically, the Grecians must win their last two games if there is any chance Posh will be relegated.

Williams also called for his team to push on and continue to pick up points as he does not know how many will be required for safety.

He said: “Whether we are safe is a difficult question to answer. I have to try and predict about six fixtures at the weekend and another six the week after. I haven’t got that type of brain.

“I guess if you look at history, it’s unlikely on that tally but let’s just focus on being really competitive and getting some more points.

“We had been given homework and the teacher said you’ve got six months to do it but we’ve left it until the night before. Now, we’re desperately trying to cut up things and glue them to a piece of paper, looking for the crowns and we’re up until three o’clock in the morning, going into school with bags under our eyes and handing in a project we wish we’d have spent a lot more time on.

“We started the game well and then some anxiety crept in because we didn’t score and missed a big chance. It didn’t need to because we were playing well, just carry on but we’re not quite there at the moment, there are nerves.

“We really looked determined to get back on terms though and I was pleased to see that. The application was ok, it was more anxiety and we made some real unforced errors because of it. Then in the second half, we were throwing everything at it and looked more assertive.

“The way Harry scored and celebrated summed up the whole team, they found a bit of anger and assertiveness rather than fear and hesitation.

“I was pleased to get a point after we conceded the first goal but we were good enough to win that game. On the balance, we probably deserved a point.”

Posh travel to face Stockport County on Saturday (April 25, 12:30pm) in the first of two games before the final day- with many teams playing only once. County currently sit fifth and were the side who conceded a 96th minute equaliser, scored by Exeter’s goalkeeper, on Saturday.