Posh boss is expecting an apology from the Oxford match referee

Ferguson challenged Young after the game at the Kassam Stadium with the referee explaining he felt Beevers and his marker were both ‘at it’ as they prepared for a right wing corner.

It was a description rejected by Ferguson.

“I can accept referees don’t always see these incidents,” Ferguson admitted. “But this one happened right in front of him and it’s a blatant penalty. Mark was just dragged to the ground.

“I approached the referee after the game and he claimed both players were ‘at it.’ Live I wasn’t sure, but you can often tell by reactions and their dugout went very quiet, and when you see a replay it’s very clear.

“I told the referee to watch it and then he might be calling me to apologise.”

Ferguson was also frustrated by his team’s inability to take a couple of clearcut scoring chances.

“It was a tough game away from home against a promotion rival,” Ferguson added. “It’s not a bad result, but it’s one tinged with disappointment as we had the best chances to score.

“Joe Ward missed a good one early one after a perfect pass from Jonson Clarke-Harris. Joe made a great run, but he should have dinked his shot over the goalkeeper who had gone to ground very early.

“And when Siriki Dembele went around the goalkeeper he shouldn’t have rushed his shot. He had time to stop and take more care.

“It shows how far we have come though when we are disappointed with an away draw at a good team with a good manager. We’re disappointed we didn’t keep the winning run going, but it’s another game unbeaten and it’s important we keep picking up points away from home.

“We kept them very quiet despite them seeking a lot of possession. Sammie Szmodics and Jonson helped stop them playing through us and we stayed solid and in a great shape.”