DARREN Ferguson is expecting a cautious match when his Peterborough United side entertain Swindon Town in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy southern section area final first leg tonight.

Posh have been without a match since losing 5-4 to Oldham Athletic on January 25, while Town come into the game also off the back of defeat to the Latics.

With the second leg to come at the County Ground in a fortnight’s time, Ferguson conceded tonight’s fixture could become quite nervy.

“Our aim is to take a good advantage into the second leg,” he said. “But in reality I am expecting two tight games between two teams who are well-matched and play in a similar way.

“We beat them at home in the first game of the season and we lost at their place last month when we should have won. But they are a good side who play good football so I’m expecting a good, close couple of matches.

“We have got a good rest into the players and I am now expecting a performance full of energy and spirit.

“Swindon lost at the weekend in a game played in bad conditions, but they rested a few players ready for our game so I wouldn’t read anything into that.

“This is a big game for the club. Our aims at the start of the season were to win promotion back to the Championship and to win this competition. Both aims are very much alive.”

Posh will be without strikers Nicky Ajose and Conor Washington, who are both cup-tied, and new defender Jack Baldwin, who is both suspended and cup-tied.

Right-back Mark Little has recovered from a shoulder injury and is expected to play.