Peterborough United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers: Late goals keep Posh survival hopes alive
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Jack Marriott's seventh goal of the season kept Peterborough's survival hopes alive
Peterborough United scored twice in the final 10 minutes to keep their slim hopes of Championship survival alive as they beat 10-man Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at London Road.
Rovers striker Ben Brereton Diaz harshly had a 30th-minute goal disallowed for a push before team-mate Tayo Edun was sent off for a second booking shortly before half-time.
Blackburn's Chile forward gave his side the lead when he found space on the edge of the box and swivelled on to Jan Paul van Hecke's ball before blasting low inside David Cornell's near post.
But Sammie Szmodics side-footed his team level six minutes later after a lovely weighted ball into the area, before Jack Marriott curled in a left-footed effort from 16 yards.
The win means Posh - who managed to avoid equalling a club-record 10th successive home defeat - are nine points from safety with four games to go after Reading's late win at Sheffield United.
Brereton Diaz had two decent chances in the opening 10 minutes while Szmodics and Kwame Poku had efforts at the other end.
Brereton Diaz appeared to have put Rovers in front when he headed home John Buckley's cross from the right at the far post, but the forward was adjudged to have pushed Josh Knight as he went up for the header, although replays did not appear to show much contact.
Rovers were grateful to goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski as his acrobatic save kept out Jonson Clarke-Harris, before Edun, who had been booked for a trip on Jack Taylor, got a second yellow for pulling back Jeando Fuchs after being dispossessed in midfield.
Rovers started the second period well and almost scored when Darragh Lenihan's ball across the six-yard box was hacked off the Posh line.
But the hosts grew into the half as Ricky-Jade Jones, Poku and Marriott had efforts as they dominated possession.
Rovers' opener came against the run of play as Brereton Diaz scored for the 21st time this season, but the first time in 2022.
But Posh hit back soon after as Szmodics latched on to Harrison Burrows' pass before Marriott scored for just the third time since a bad hamstring injury in September.
But Peterborough know survival is out of their hands - should Reading get four more points they will go down no matter how they do.
Even if Posh draw level on points with Reading it might not be enough as they have a goal difference that is 19 inferior than the Royals.
Peterborough manager Grant McCann told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire:
"I thought we were outstanding first half - I thought we matched a very, very good Blackburn team and more to be honest. I thought we had the best opportunities.
"Second half it's always difficult when a team's got 10 men, it's difficult in many ways. People think it's easy - it's not. It actually becomes harder as they defend in a low block and try and hit you on the counter attack and the goal came from that.
"But we kept going, we showed our grit and determination to keep pushing and keep fighting and I was really pleased with the two goals to win us the game."
Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I couldn't see them [Peterborough] scoring to be honest, and we have to look at ourselves and how we let those two goals in - it's really frustrating for us.
"To work so hard to get in front with 10 men for such a long period, it's a disappointing day.
"It's about the team trying to win football matches and we couldn't do it today. We'll end up where we end up, we'll get the points we get.
"They're on the floor in the dressing room at the moment. We have to try and pick them up in the next few days, but they have to perform better in my opinion."