Peterborough lifted the Bristol Street Motors Trophy for the second time, 10 years after their first triumph, after Harrison Burrows’ brilliant late double earned a 2-1 win over Wycombe at Wembley.
It took until the 85th minute for Posh – who had a first-half penalty appeal turned down – to edge in front through captain Burrows’ piledriver.
But within four minutes, substitute Dale Taylor volleyed the Chairboys level seconds after his introduction to seemingly leave extra-time a formality.
Yet in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, Burrows popped up again with a cross-come-shot that looped over goalkeeper Franco Ravizzolo and into the top left corner to secure the trophy for Darren Ferguson – who oversaw the win over Chesterfield 10 years and seven days earlier.
How Posh prevailed at Wembley
As with many Wembley finals in years gone by, the game started in a cagey manner as the teams settled into playing on the vast pitch and in front of a crowd of over 42,000, which included Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson – father of the Peterborough boss.
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In a first half of very few openings Peterborough appeared to be denied a spot kick when Luke Leahy blocked Kwame Poku’s shot with his hand.
Wycombe have had plenty of experience at the national stadium in recent years and it showed, as they pressed high in order to try and prevent Peterborough playing out from the back and reaching their potent forward line.
Shots came at a premium in the first half-hour, but then the game started to come alive. Garath McCleary forced a last-ditch save from Jed Steer after an intuitive ball from Freddie Potts, while at the other end, Ricky-Jade Jones was denied by a superb block from Chris Forino, before Josh Knight flashed a header across the face of goal from the corner that followed.
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Captain Harrison Burrows gave Peterborough the lead at Wembley with a rasping shot from the edge of the area.
Posh appealed for a penalty with seven minutes of the first half remaining, when Kwame Poku swept a shot towards goal that appeared to strike the hand of Luke Leahy as he made the block. Referee Scott Oldham seemingly did not spot it.
Shortly after the break, Hector Kyprianou got on the end of a trademark cross from Harrison Burrows, but put his header the wrong side of the post under pressure, and Wycombe even had the ball in the back of the net after 56 minutes, though Steer was adjudged to have been fouled before Kone hooked the ball into the empty net.
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Wycombe substitute Dale Taylor netted a superb volley with his first touch of the game to draw them level just minutes after falling behind.
Peterborough had dominated the ball and it seemed as though it would just be a matter of time before their quality told, but the opener did not come until the last five minutes of the 90, when Burrows jinked to his left and fired in with power and via a slight deflection.
Their delight was shortlived, though. A free-kick from deep was headed away, with Taylor watching it all the way and lashing in on the volley to, naturally, give Wycombe hope.
Harrison Burrows’ double sealed victory for Peterborough at Wembley
That, too, was dashed shortly after, though. Peterborough made sure of the victory in the 91st minute when Burrows – whether he meant it or not – found the top corner as the final ended in the most dramatic fashion.
What’s next?
Both teams are straight back into Sky Bet League One action in three days’ time on Tuesday April 10 at 7.45pm.
Automatic promotion-chasing Peterborough host Port Vale at the Weston Homes Stadium, while Wycombe welcome second-placed Derby to Adams Park.
