To set the scene first though, Cherries made one late change with star player O'Connor replaced by Browning. The Posh were, barring miracles, down already and the relatively small away turnout very much confirmed the pre-match view that this was three points for the taking. Fry used the occasion to blood a couple of reserves, including his own son and for the best part of twenty minutes of fluent Cherries football it looked for all the world like a cricket score waiting to happen. However, corner after corner failed to result in too much dismay for the Posh keeper and it is now clear to any opposition that whether Stock bounces the ball three times, throws it to his head twice or does that 'game over' sign with his hands, the signal means the same - "I can't take corners".
Then, from nowhere in particular Posh stole what proved to be the decisive lead. A gently floated cross into the box being adeptly steered into the corner away from the flailing Moss. And with that killer blow so the heads dropped, the crowd grew quiet and the optimism of a comfortable first home win in 5 disappeared.
HT: 0-1
With the other half times seemingly in our favour, an all-out assault for 45 minutes was demanded. And here it is worth reflecting upon the post match comments from the manager, suggesting we had started "too gung-ho so I had to tighten them up" which roughly translated to me that we were more concerned at defensive stability than battering the opposition into submission. And so it proved, with the second half summed up in a couple of minutes of play: Stock had a throw on half way with Elliott ahead unmarked and screaming for the ball. By this time Brian had picked the ball up and looked backwards first before throwing the ball to Frankie to pelt aimlessly down the line. Moments later Spicer was in centre field looking to strive forward with the ball. As he did so a midfield quartet of Elliott, Browning, Stock and Purches stood motionless in a line behind him, with not a single forward movement between them.
We were too preoccupied with keeping possession, even if that meant going nowhere. Even when there was any forward movement it was not in enough numbers to trouble the Posh rearguard. Connell was introduced early on but then played too deep. Young was introduced when it was far too late and played on the left when he dovetails so neatly with Elliott that one could almost weep for his omission from the starting line up.
This was as winnable a game as I've seen in a long time. Whilst there were one or two near misses, a great Stock run and shot and a half volley from Hayter, in truth we never looked like scoring and as the game wore on yet another home defeat was inevitable.
For my money Sean has done a fantastic job. However he seems to know only one way of playing and when that doesn't work we don't have a plan B. Whilst the playoffs, for now, are still within our own determination, if we are to succeed then we need to bring greater aggression and tempo to our game. A switch to the away strip and the constant chanting of 400 hardy souls for the final game might also be a good move.
Shared, Howe for a solid if not inspiring performance, and Horse the Younger for the one decent cross all afternoon.
AFCB: Moss, Simek, Howe, Mills, Purches, Spicer, Browning, Stock, Elliott, Fletcher, Hayter.
Subs: Stewart, Coutts, Connell (for Purches, 60), Young (for Browning, 81), Maher (on for Simek, 86)