Peterborough 2, Middlesbrough 2
Nov 30 2009 The Journal
New Posh boss Mark Cooper went back to previous Conference club Kettering last week to sign the exotically-named Exodus Geohaghan and the giant defender with the Old Testament moniker caused plenty of problems for Boro with a long throw that sparked some nervous scrambles and set up a string of squandered early efforts for the home side.
But Boro gradually took control and Lita had a shot from a tight angle saved, then had a golden chance as a delighful ball from Adam Johnson found him in space on the edge of the box but Posh’s England Under-21 keeper Joe Lewis was quickly off his line to save.
Boro went ahead on 28 minutes as another good Johnson ball picked out Julio Arca and although Lewis saved his low shot it rebounded to Kitson who lashed home from 18 yards.
The Teessiders should have sealed it early in the second half as first Johnson sent a long range effort dipping just over then crossed for Lita at the far post but his diving header bounced fractionally wide of the other upright and soon after the striker had a low angled drive saved by Lewis.
But Posh weathered the storm and levelled on 54 minutes when another monster throw from Geohaghan was only half cleared and Griffiths’ chipped it back over the flat-footed Boro defence for George Boyd to nip behind and slam in the leveller. Boro were back in front within four minutes as Johnson put in an inviting pinpoint cross from the left to far post for Kitson to head home the 100th league goal of his career.
That should have been that but dogged Posh squared it again on 76 minutes. Boro again failed to convincingly clear a long thrown and if fell to Shaun Batt and when he was left unchallenged he swept a 25-yard effort home. Boro should have had the ‘obvious’ penalty on 81 minutes when a corner dropped into a crowded box and Boyd pole-axed St Ledger but David Phillips ignored the claims.
PETERBOROUGH: Lewis, Zakuani (Lee 60), Bennett, Geohaghon, Griffiths, Rowe (Batt 67), Diagouraga, Frecklington, Boyd, Mackail-Smith, Mclean. Subs (not used): McKeown, Coutts, Keates, Green, Simpson.
Booked: Mclean, Batt. Goals: Boyd 54, Batt 76.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Jones, McMahon, St. Ledger, Wheater, Pogatetz, Yeates (Hoyte 75), Arca, Osbourne, Johnson, Lita, Kitson. Subs (not used): Coyne, Taylor, Riggott, Digard, Emnes, Bent.
Booked: Kitson. Goals: Kitson 28, 58.
Referee: David Phillips (W Sussex) Attendance: 10,772
