Darren Ferguson: Peterborough fans behind goals 'made big difference' against Cambridge

Darren Ferguson is in his fourth spell as Peterborough boss

Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson hailed an idea from chief executive Dawn Gore following their 5-0 derby win over Cambridge United.

The club opted to put Cambridge supporters in the North Stand and have their own fans behind both goals.

Three goals in six first-half minutes put Posh on the way to victory and they remain fourth in League One.

"Don't give them [Cambridge fans] the end, give them the stand - brilliant idea," Ferguson said.

He told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "It made a big difference, it was a great idea, so I'll get Dawn a bottle for that, I think."

A crowd of 11,645 watched Saturday's game at the Weston Homes Stadium.

It included 1,612 Cambridge fans - 632 fewer than made the 43-mile trip for last season's corresponding fixture, which Posh won 1-0, when visiting fans were housed behind the goal in the Deskgo Stand.

Ferguson described his side's performance as "tactically perfect", and they are now just four points outside the automatic promotion places.

He said: "There wasn't one bad performance from any of my team. They stuck to the tactical plan absolutely to a T.

"We had to be patient, they [Cambridge] are a very good team without the ball. They do not concede many goals.

"We had three at the back with the ball, four without, overloaded [in] wide areas and they did it excellently.

He continued: "I've been waiting for that sort of performance since the start of the season because I know it's in there - and they couldn't have picked a better day to do it."

The margin of victory was the biggest in a Cambridgeshire derby and Ferguson added: "It's brilliant for the team, brilliant for everyone. When you break a record like that, you've got to enjoy it."

Peterborough now have a break from league action until 25 November, after next Saturday's trip to Exeter City was postponed because of international call-ups.

However, they have a home FA Cup replay against Salford City on Tuesday, to be followed a week later by an away EFL Trophy game against Colchester.

Peterborough 'miles ahead of us' - Bonner

Mark Bonner's Cambridge had not conceded a goal in their three previous league games

Cambridge are not involved in any cup action and must now regroup before travelling to Northampton Town on 25 November.

"You'd probably rather have a game [to play sooner] - you don't want to stew on it for two weeks," said boss Mark Bonner.

"This was our 10th game in 35 days and it looked like it at times. We need the break, the break will be good for us - I hope. And we'll use it the best we can."

Asked for his opinion of Peterborough, Bonner added: "It hurts me to say it but they are miles ahead of us.

"That technical and athletic quality they've got to create chances, we didn't match, and couldn't match, and that's why they are where they are."

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