Burton Albion FC 2 - 1 Peterborough United : Zakuani sees red in Posh defeat

Posted Sunday, August 23, 2015 by PA

Peterborough had skipper Gabriel Zakuani sent off as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Burton.

Posh were already trailing to goals from Nasser El Khayati and Stuart Beavon when the defender was shown a straight red by referee Graham Salisbury in the 58th minute.

Marcus Maddison pulled a goal back but Burton nervously held on for their third win in four games since promotion.

Burton's persistent pressure was rewarded in the 36th minute when Beavon cleverly cut the ball back for El Khayati to fire emphatically into the far corner for his third goal in two games.

The visitors posed a threat for the first time when Souleymane Coulibaly was denied by the legs of home keeper Jon McLaughlin early in the second half.

But Dave Robertson's side were rocked twice in the space of four minutes.

Beavon pounced to net from close range after Ben Alnwick spilled a Duffy shot in the 54th minute and then Zakuani received his marching orders for an ugly challenge on Timmy Thiele.

Posh reduced the deficit in the 68th minute when Maddison thundered home a 30-yard shot and they almost salvaged a point only for a Jermaine Anderson strike to be ruled out in stoppage time.