Tranmere exploited the space beyond full-backs to open up threatening positions on a regular basis during the first hour.
Chris Greenacre notched his first two goals of the season and doubtless counted the clutch of near misses that denied him the company of the match ball on the journey home.
Tranmere were fortunate Peterborough did not draw first blood on three minutes when Craig Mackail-Smith capitalised on some hesitancy at the back to slide a shot from a tight angle against the inside the post. Ben Chorley hacked the rebound to safety as it ran along the goalline.
Four minutes later the visitors went in front with a goal of simplicity that stunned the home supporters into silence. Ian Goodison’s cross from deep on the left found Greenacre unmarked a dozen yards from goal but it was the pace and accuracy of his glancing header into the far corner that left the Posh defenders looking flat-footed.
Ferguson struck an agitated pose on the touchline, reminiscent of his father in earlier days, as Peterborough’s defenders lost their bearings completely in a seven minute spell midway through the first half.
Goalkeeper Joe Lewis made a fine reflex save to keep out Ed Sonko’s close range header from a cross by Ryan Shotton and then was relieved to see Greenacre lift the rebound over from six yards.
A long throw from Shotton dropping to the far side of the six yard box caused so much surprise in the home rearguard that Greenacre was able to take it on the volley, but fired high again.
Peterborough’s not luck could not hold. They left Bas Savage free to win a high loose ball on the edge of the box and Greenacre free to collect the headed past, step around the advancing Lewis and score.
Mackail-Smith pulled an all-important goal back for the Posh four a minutes before half-time, stabbing home a a low, left-wing cross shot from busy wide man George Boyd.
Tranmere pushed hard to regain the two-goal cushion and steadier finishing from Sonko, Greenacre, Antony Kay or Shotton would probably have taken the sting out of Peterborough’s fightback.
As it was, the Posh poured players gamely forward in greater numbers and cranked up the pressure as the second half wore on.
A couple of near misses preceded the home team’s equaliser on 77 minutes. It was headed in at the far post by Gabriel Zakuani, a defender on loan from Fulham, from a well-flighted flighted corner by Russell Martin.
Soon afterwards Coyne saved resourcefully in with his feet when substitute Shaun Batt threatened to win the game for Peterborough as he ran clear into the box from Boyd’s pass.
MATCH FACTS
PETERBOROUGH: Lewis, Martin, Zakuani, Morgan, Day, Boyd, Coutts, Lee (Green 74), Whelpdale, Rendell (Batt 64), Mackail-Smith. Subs: Tyler, Westwood, Hyde. BOOKING: Morgan, TRANMERE: Coyne, Shotton, Chorley, Goodison, Taylor, Moore, Kay, Jennings, Sonko, Greenacre (Curran 78), Savage. Subs: Achterberg, Edds, Shuker, O'Callaghan. BOOKINGS: Shotton, Goodsion, Jennings.Referee: Graham Horwood (Bedfordshire).Att: 5,735.NEXT GAME: Tranmere v Colchester, Coca-Cola Football League One, Friday, September 26, 7.45pmBOOKING: Morgan,
GOALS: Mackail-Smith 41, Zakuani 77
TRANMERE: Coyne, Shotton, Chorley, Goodison, Taylor, Moore, Kay, Jennings, Sonko, Greenacre (Curran 78), Savage. Subs: Achterberg, Edds, Shuker, O'Callaghan. BOOKINGS: Shotton, Goodsion, Jennings.Referee: Graham Horwood (Bedfordshire).Att: 5,735.NEXT GAME: Tranmere v Colchester, Coca-Cola Football League One, Friday, September 26, 7.45pmBOOKINGS: Shotton, Goodsion, Jennings.
GOALS: Greenacre 7, 30
Referee: Graham Horwood (Bedfordshire).
Att: 5,735.
NEXT GAME: Tranmere v Colchester, Coca-Cola Football League One, Friday, September 26, 7.45pm
