Darren Ferguson: Peterborough manager says FA Cup shootout win showed every side of team

Peterborough will play another League Two side, Doncaster Rovers, in the second round of the FA Cup on Saturday, 2 December

Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson said their thrilling win on penalties against Salford in their FA Cup first-round replay showcased every facet of his side - good and bad.

Posh were 1-0 down, 3-1 up, 3-3 at full-time and trailed 4-3 in extra time before a stoppage-time leveller forced spot-kicks, which saw them win 5-4..

Victory earned Peterborough a second-round tie against Doncaster Rovers.

"It would've been a hell of a blow if we'd not gone through," Ferguson said.

League One Peterborough had recovered well after Curtis Tilt's fourth-minute header and looked firmly in control at half-time thanks to goals from Joel Randall, Ephron Mason-Clark and Archie Collins.

But Tilt's second and Josh Knight's own-goal turned the tie around for League Two Salford - and when Stevie Mallen put them in front in extra time, Posh were staring an upset firmly in the face.

The thrilling tie was given a further twist when substitute Jonson Clarke-Harris levelled in added-on time, sending the game to penalties.

Seeing his side squeeze through on spot-kicks - thanks to goalkeeper Finn Talley's sudden-death save - was a huge relief for Ferguson.

"I think it showed us as a team in 90 and 120 minutes," he told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"Going from some sublime stuff and complete control to, well, what you saw really.

"There were certain parts of the game - the two set-pieces where we've lost the goals... But then we showed the quality we've got."

And Ferguson said getting through to the second round was ultimately down to the character of his players.

"Before the game, I said to them 'find a way of getting through the tie' and credit to them," he said.

"Jonno's got us out of it with a goal with the last kick of the ball and we found a way.

"Then you're 4-3 down and thinking 'we're out of the cup' but then we find a way and then the boy hits the post to win it for them and I'm thinking it might just be our night."

Darren Ferguson's only involvement in the FA Cup in his playing career was during his time with Wrexham when he made six appearances in the competition