Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson hopes Leyton Orient win promotion after semi-final win

The Posh went into this year’s competition with a 100 per cent record after three successful play-off campaigns. But Peterborough’s exceptional record was ended at Brisbane Road as the O’s clinched a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Ferguson said: “I have to congratulate Leyton Orient and really hope they go on and win it now. I would have said that about any team that beat us so it’s nothing to do with Preston or Rotherham. They’ve had a very good season. In my own opinion I don’t know if they’ve done enough to go through over the two games but they have done.

“They’ve got good attacking players like ourselves. The difference on the night is they were clinical. To have four three versus three situations in the first half and not take advantage of any of them was our downfall.”

United were expected to challenge for automatic promotion but an inconsistent campaign saw them finish sixth in the table.

Ferguson said: “It’s a massive disappointment and we’re all gutted in the dressing room. It wasn’t the time or the place to criticise the players. I thanked them for their efforts over the season.

“We have to lick our wounds and congratulate Leyton Orient, that’s all we can do. It’s a massive disappointment because we had big hopes of getting back into the Championship. It has been a roller coaster of a season.

“The ambition was to finish in the top two. We didn’t do that and we have been inconsistent but when you get to the play-off games we were very confident we could get through them. Unfortunately we haven’t and that’s just the way it goes.”

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony was gracious in defeat last night.

MacAnthony tweeted: “Massive congratulations to @leytonorientfc on their victory. Thoroughly deserved win with attacking play. Good luck in the final.

“To the 1,400 posh fans we let down tonight, you were magnificent as per usual & a credit to the club. Safe home!”