FERGIE: POSH WERE ROYAL-LY STITCHED UP BY REF’S DECISION

By Russell Kempson

READING 3

PETERBORO’ U 1

Hughes 7 (o.g.), Knibbs 58, Savage 63

READING: Pereira 6, Rushesha 6, Stickland 6, Yiadom 6, Abrefa 6, TEAM: Steer 6, Dornelly 6 (Johnston 69, 6), Fernandez 6 (Katongo Savage 7 (Holzman 90), Wing 7, Knibbs 8 (Carroll 90), Campbell 69, 6), Hughes 5, Edun 6, Poku 7, Susoho 6 (De Havilland 74, 7 (Bodin 90), Ehibhatiomhan 6 (Akande 78, 6), Camara 7 (Wareham 62, 6) .

Poku 66

Subs not used: Button, Kanu. 5), Jones 6. Subs not used: Bilokapic, Lindgren. 5), Mothersille 7, Collins 5 (Kyprianou 69, 6), Odoh 5 (Hayes 69,

Att: 12,108 Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Adam Herczeg 5/10

READING manager Noel Hunt admitted that his side were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty at a crucial time in their victory over Peterborough.

Royals won with an own goal from Posh skipper Sam Hughes and further efforts from Harvey Knibbs and Charlie Savage, with Kwame Poku replying for the lack-lustre visitors.

The main talking point in the game came on the hour mark when the hosts led 2-0, but Charlie Savage appeared to bring down Ricky-Jade Jones in the home area.

Despite furious appeals from Posh officials, referee Adam Herczeg ignored them.

“I couldn’t really see the incident, but I knew that the guy [Jones] was bearing down on goal,” Hunt said. “If that was the decision [no penalty], then so be it. I’ll have to have a look back at it.

“But I could see that the Peterborough guys were frustrated and angry about it.”

Reading are now unbeaten in 11 games. “I thought that we looked really good, we looked really fresh,” Hunt said.

“We were maybe a little bit slow with the ball in the first half but we were still in control. We had to make sure that we had the intensity and the work rate. That was our number one priority. No matter who comes in and puts on the shirt, they give everything they’ve got.”

After a cagey opening from both sides, the hosts went ahead in the seventh minute – albeit in fortuitous circumstances.

It may have been a slick team move that sliced apart the Posh defence, but it needned an inadvertent final touch from Hughes to divert Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan’s pullback into his own net.

Knibbs slotted in from close range in the 58th minute to extend the lead and Savage did similarly from a Jayden Wareham cross.

Poku pulled one back, firing home after some sloppy home defending, but Posh needed superb saves from keeper

Jed Steer to deny Andy Yiadom and Savage towards the end.

Posh boss Ferguson hit out: “I’ve got to be honest, I think that the referee must have been the only person in the stadium [that didn’t think it was a penalty],” he cursed.

“Even the Reading bench couldn’t believe it. I think the problem is if the ref gives it, then he’s got to give him [Savage] a red card. He told me he didn’t think there was any contact.”