Darren Ferguson hails Joe Ward’s stunning winner after Peterborough beat Burton

Darren Ferguson described Joe Ward’s stoppage-time screamer as a goal “worthy of winning any game at any level” as Peterborough defeated Burton 1-0 to move up to third in League One.

A 30-yard half-volley broke the deadlock for the league’s top scorers in the first minute of injury time after a drab 90 minutes.

Ward won the League One Goal of the Month competition in October for a stunning 25-yard strike at Gillingham, and Ferguson said: “He’s got a knack of producing goals which are out of this world. It was worthy of winning any game at any level.

“I felt we needed to give a good defensive performance and we restricted them to not much. They had one corner in the game.

“In the first half we did not do enough going forward but you get games like that. We had three key players out of the team but those who came in worked their socks off – it was a great effort.

“These are the games you need to grind out a win. I was really focused on that at half-time.

“It was a big, big three points. The last two away games we’ve not picked up anything, but in 12 games here in all competitions we’ve won nine and only lost one which stands up to anyone.”

The visitors could have taken an early lead when both Scott Fraser and John Brayford shot wide from inside the area.

In the second half Posh – who were missing suspended striker Ivan Toney – were appealing for a penalty when Mo Eisa fell to the ground under pressure from John-Joe O’Toole, but referee Will Finnie waved away the appeals.

However, that did not matter when Frazer Blake-Tracy poked the ball to Ward who unleashed a thunderous strike at the near post.

Burton manager Nigel Clough, who was booked during the match, said: “It’s very harsh on us to lose the game. It was a composed, mature, disciplined performance in the first half. We controlled it and created numerous opportunities.

“But when you do not get a goal you leave yourself open to someone getting a screamer and it’s happening to us with alarming regularity. Most of the time those shots go in the stands.

“We had two great chances early with Scott Fraser and John Brayford but they’ve missed the target. They are a free-scoring team who were fourth in the league and we restricted them to next to nothing.

“But it seems to be either feast or famine for us (in front of goal).

“I’m frustrated by the decisions today. The referee booked me and I will have a quiet chat with him. He said it was for unacceptable behaviour without giving me a reason – I’m not sure you can do that.”