PLAYER VERDICTS: Smith scoops sponsors' prize ahead of the Peterborough United substitutes

Right-back Michael Smith was a deserved winner of the sponsors' man-of-the-match champagne as Peterborough United were held to a 1-1 League One draw by Oldham at the ABAx Stadium today (March 18).
Posh man-of-the-match Michael Smith saw this shot at goal blocked by the Oldham defence. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Posh man-of-the-match Michael Smith saw this shot at goal blocked by the Oldham defence. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Posh man-of-the-match Michael Smith saw this shot at goal blocked by the Oldham defence. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Smith almost scored in the early stages and looked an attacking threat from the right flank.

Midfielder Anthony Grant and substitutes Marcus Maddison and Junior Morias also performed with credit.

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Mark Tyler: Beaten by a smart finish on Posh appearance number 496, but otherwise redundant 6

Posh skipper Chris Forrester gets away from Oldham's Aiden O'Neill. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Posh skipper Chris Forrester gets away from Oldham's Aiden O'Neill. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Posh skipper Chris Forrester gets away from Oldham's Aiden O'Neill. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Michael Smith: Good effort by the Northern Irishman. Denied an early goal by a fine save and whipped in a few decent crosses that deserved more 7.5

Andrew Hughes: It was alarming to see opponents breeze past him a couple of times in the first-half. Won a few attacking set-piece headers, but had trouble diercting them on target. Substituted midway through the second-half 5

Jack Baldwin: His commitment to the cause is obvious, but my he takes chances in possession and when defending. One superb recovery tackle late on rescued his own misguided attempt to intercept a pass on the halfway line 5.5

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Michael Bostwick: Back at centre-back, but the ball floated over his head for Oldham’s goal. He guarantees effort and big battling qualities and did okay thereafter 5.5

Impressive Posh midfielder Anthony Grant during the 1-1 draw against Oldham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Impressive Posh midfielder Anthony Grant during the 1-1 draw against Oldham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Impressive Posh midfielder Anthony Grant during the 1-1 draw against Oldham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Anthony Grant: He cleared up a few messes on the edge of his own area. One terrific block late in the game and should be pleased with his performance on his return to the side 7

Chris Forrester: The workrate is okay, but he’s still way below his best form. In a first-half when Posh dominated possession it rarely seemed like the captain would play a killer ball. One fine pass that Inman miscontrolled was his best effort 5.5

Brad Inman: Quiet, still feeling his way into this side and this system. One senses there is some quality to come though 5.5

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Paul Taylor: He was again the brightest spark for the opening half, although his decision-making/final ball wasn’t great. Off at half-time with an injury 6.5

Posh skipper Chris Forrester gets away from Oldham's Aiden O'Neill. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Posh skipper Chris Forrester gets away from Oldham's Aiden O'Neill. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Posh skipper Chris Forrester gets away from Oldham's Aiden O'Neill. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Craig Mackail-Smith: Starved of service for the most part, although drew a decent stop and came close with a sliding effort in the first-half. Freed by a great Maddison pass after the break and although he stumbled and couldn’t get a shot away, he teed up Morias who missed 6

Tom Nichols: Never a threat to a rugged. well-organised defence. Substituted and his replacement was far more effective 5

Substitutes

Marcus Maddison: (for Taylor, 46 mins) He was far from perfect, but there was another high-class assist and he almost helped create a winning goal. Should always play 6.5

Impressive Posh midfielder Anthony Grant during the 1-1 draw against Oldham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Impressive Posh midfielder Anthony Grant during the 1-1 draw against Oldham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Impressive Posh midfielder Anthony Grant during the 1-1 draw against Oldham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
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Junior Morias: (for Nichols, 60 mins) His energy and attitude improved Posh and he scored with a well-taken header. Missed the chance to win the game for Posh with an 18-yard sidefoot past a post 6

Jerome Binnom-Williams: (for Hughes, 65 mins) Sent on because of his pace and attacking strength. He didn’t show much of either 5

Harry Anderson: (not used)

Luke McGee: (not used).

Leo Da Silva Lopes: (not used).

Morgan Penfold: (not used).