POSH PLAYER VERDICTS: A disappointing Peterborough United display, but Baldwin stood tall

It was the first time in 18 matches that Posh had failed to score at home so perhaps understandably the Peterborough Telegraph man-of-the-match was central defender Jack Baldwin.

Ben Alnwick: Made one smart save to thwart former Posh striker Tyrone Barnett from a first-half corner, but otherwise unemployed. Annoyed the home fans with the time it took to clear his lines, but his normal passing areas were blocked off by the opposition 6

Michael Smith: Defended very comfortably, but Southend left their left-back so deep it was hard for Smith to have as much influence as he usually does going forward. A very frustrating afternoon for an in-form performer 7

Lawrie Wilson: Posh have lost a lot of their attacking thrust down the left-hand side in the absence of Callum Elder. Wilson is a steady pro, but he’s very right-footed so he always has to cut inside when he goes forward. Hardly any defending to do, but no surprise when he was eventually substituted 5

Ricardo Santos: Battled away gamely as usual and showed flashes of skill on the ball, but he gives away far too many cheap free-kicks because he struggles with the timing of his challenges. Will be under threat for his place when Bostwick returns 6

Jack Baldwin: Comfortably the best player in a Posh shirt. Absolute rock at the back and brought the ball out of defence impressively at times as well. Tremendous return to action in the last three matches 8

Chris Forrester: Wasn’t enjoying the most productive of matches by his own lofty standards even before he failed to convert the last-gasp penalty. Spurned a couple of shooting chances on the edge of the Southend area by hesitating rather than reacting instinctively and firing at goal 5

Harry Beautyman: Darted about a congested midfield area willingly, but never threatened to make something decisive happen. Substituted early in the second-half 5

Erhun Oztumer: Always wanted the ball and received it often enough to make something happen. Sadly even he found the massed Southend ranks hard to break down. His best moment arrived early with a sizzling seventh-minute shot from distance that was well-saved. Won another sponsors’ man-of-the-match award though 6

Martin Samuelsen: This was a rude awakening for the gifted teenager. He was never given any time to settle on the ball by the tenacious Southend midfield and he was rarely a factor in the game as a result 5

Lee Angol: Set up a first-half half-chance for Washington that was well defended and tried hard to compete physically with a rugged defence. It was a surprise when he was substituted midway through the second-half with Posh still chasing a goal. They didn’t play any better without him 6

Conor Washington: Hardly received a worthwhile pass in the first-half so was anonymous despite regular attempts to break into space. Much livelier in the second-half and forced one fine save with a stinging drive 6

Substitutes:

Jon Taylor: (for Beautyman, 62 mins)

Marcus Maddison: (for Samuelsen, 68 mins)

Kgosi Ntlhe: (for Wilson, 74 mins).

Souleymane Coulibaly: (not used)

Jordan Nicholson: (not used).

Miles Addison: (not used).

Dion-Curtis Henry: (not used).