LONDON, CMC – Reggae Boy Jonson Clarke-Harris, the English League One’s leading marksman, pounced for his 26th goal as Peterborough United survived a scare to retain a place in the play-offs by beating Exeter City 3-1 on Monday.
The hosts, nicknamed Posh, were given an early boost when Exeter defender Alex Hartridge sliced a Kwame Poku cross into his net after just eight minutes at Weston Homes Stadium.
Ephron Mason-Clark continued his hot streak with a fourth goal in six games to double the Peterborough advantage four minutes before half-time, controlling a long pass from Ollie Norburn and lobbying on-rushing goalkeeper Jamal Blackman, who is eligible to play for Jamaica or Barbados internationally.
But Exeter hit back in the first minute of the second half when substitute Rekeem Harper, a 23-year-old midfielder of Jamaican descent, claimed his first City goal with his first touch as his volley surprised Peterborough goalkeeper Will Norris.
Only the woodwork denied Exeter an equalizer when Jack Sparkes headed a Josh Key cross against the post moments later.
But the hosts regained control to secure a fifth win in six games when Clarke-Harris struck for his 24th league goal of the season in the 70th minute after Blackman had done brilliantly to keep out a misdirected header from defender Pierce Sweeney.
“We needed that second goal because the wind played a part, but great credit to my players for getting six points over Easter,” said Posh manager Darren Ferguson.
At Braintree United’s Cressing Road Stadium in the east of England, Dominic Poleon, a 29-year-old forward of St Lucian descent, was sent off after 28 minutes for a raised arm in a melee as sixth-tier National League South champions Ebbsfleet United went down 3-2, having failed to add to his 38-goal tally this season.
The defeat ended an a19-match unbeaten run by Ebbsfleet, who will play in the fifth-tier National League next season.
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