Darren Ferguson is confident about Peterborough’s chances in the play-offs if they can replicate their second-half display in the 3-3 draw against Wanderers.

The Whites raced into a 2-0 lead through Kyle Dempsey’s header and Dion Charles’ spot kick inside the opening eight minutes.

The hosts hit back through a Malik Mothersille brace and Joel Randall, but Cameron Jerome rescued a point eight minutes from time.

Ian Evatt’s side had a slim chance of automatic promotion at the start of the day but the result at London Road was ultimately irrelevant after Derby beat Carlisle 2-0 to clinch second spot.

Posh will now face Oxford over two legs in the play-offs, while Bolton take on Barnsley in a repeat of last season.

Ferguson told the club website: “Terrible, shocking start to the game. We can’t repeat that in the play-offs or it could be game over!

“The goals we gave away, the first one is a free header and the second is a stupid tackle. We started the game in the worst possible way."

He added: “I don’t care if you’re Manchester City or Peterborough – if you don’t do the basics well, you won’t win.

“In the second half we did them far, far better. We were aggressive, we won tackles, we created chances and scored goals.

“When we play like that, we are a very hard team to play against. In the end I am disappointed not to win it after getting 3-2 ahead, but the game was a great advert for the league.

“We know we have to play very well twice to get through in the semi-finals of the play-offs. If we play like we did in the second half, we will be OK.”

The Peterborough boss was pleased to see 20-year-old Mothersille net a couple of goals and felt their preparation paid off.

“He was very good, he is a good player,” Ferguson continued. “We had worked on how we felt Santos would play, he plays one-v-one at the back.

“I thought Malik grew into the game. He had to learn what we said to do when you play against Santos, and what not to do.

“His two goals were perfect, exactly what we showed him in terms of crosses into the box.”