Peterborough United 2-1 Bristol Rovers: Bali Mumba's debut goal ensures Posh progress

A wonderful goal by debutant Bali Mumba helped Peterborough avoid a potential FA Cup upset against Bristol Rovers.

The half-time substitute went on a mazy run, exchanged passes with Sammie Szmodics and slotted in to score the winning goal just after the hour mark.

Szmodics had capitalised on an error by Gas goalkeeper James Belshaw to put Championship side Posh in front.

Paul Coutts levelled from the penalty spot for League Two Rovers but they were unable to find a second equaliser.

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Peterborough's opening goal midway through the first half saw Belshaw rush out of his area to clear the ball but miss it completely, allowing Szmodics to tap into an empty net.

The lead lasted only 10 minutes as a foul by Posh goalkeeper David Cornell on Antony Evans caused the referee to point to the penalty spot. It allowed Coutts to score his first goal for Bristol Rovers, who travelled without manager Joey Barton after a positive Covid-19 test.

The teams went in level at the break but Peterborough made a strong start to the second half with Siriki Dembele twice missing the target and Jorge Grant seeing a shot saved.

The pressure paid off after 63 minutes with a lovely debut goal from on-loan Norwich man Mumba, who beat several defenders on a slaloming run before placing a fine finish beyond Belshaw to send the Championship side into the FA Cup fourth round.

Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson:

"Bali gave us energy, got the crowd up and scored a great goal. The important thing was to get through, but we shouldn't have been hanging on. The game should have been over.

"That was the frustrating thing, not to get the third goal especially with the chances we had. It meant it was a lot more uncomfortable than it should have been.

"We have only got ourselves to blame for making it tough for ourselves, but it's a win. My hope is a really good draw, one of the big clubs. Knowing my luck we will get Huddersfield away."

Bristol Rovers first team coach Andy Mangan told BBC Radio Bristol:

"I thought the lads put a real good shift in and I don't think there was much in it. We had chances, we knew we were not going to have much of the ball at times today so we would have to be disciplined which I thought we were.

"At 1-1 we were massively in the game and even at 2-1 we had chances. I'm really proud of the lads. At times on the ball we were really good too.

"The gaffer was watching it and I know he feels the same way. I think you could see towards the end of the game that we haven't played a game in almost a month. On another day we could have nicked it."

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