by Kadeem Simmonds

Peterborough United defeated Chesterfield 3-1 to win the Football League Trophy at Wembley, despite finishing the game with 10 men.

The title win is the club’s first in 40 years, their last trophy coming in 1974 when they won the old fourth division.

Josh McQuoid put the Posh a goal up after five minutes. Shaun Brisley saw his header saved by goalkeeper Tommy Lee and McQuoid was on hand to poke in the rebound.

The goal seemed to anger Chesterfield who should have equalised. Sam Morsy and Ian Evatt both spurned good chances and were punished by Brisley seven minutes before the break.

His header from a corner gave Peterborough a comfortable lead going into the break.

But three minutes into the second half, Eoin Doyle put his side back in the tie. Morsy’s cross was converted by Doyle and things went from bad to worse for Peterborough when Joe Newell was sent off for aiming a kick at Morsy right under the nose of referee Andy D’Urso.

But any hope the Spireites had was dashed 14 minutes from time. Liam Cooper brought down Mark Little in the box and Britt Assombalonga made sure his side left Wembley as champions.