Steve Evans sacked by Peterborough despite club being in League One play-off spots

Posh drew 0-0 in their latest game against fellow promotion-chasers Charlton, but it wasn't enough to save Evans from the axe.

A statement on the Peterborough website read: "The football club wishes to announce that the manager Steve Evans and Assistant Manager Paul Raynor have been released from their contracts with immediate effect.

"We would like to thank both Steve and Paul for their efforts on behalf of the football club.

"We wish them and their families all the best for the future."

Evans only took over in February last year at the ABAX Stadium, just days after he left his job as manager at Mansfield.

Posh are sitting in sixth place – the final play-off spot – in League One, two points clear of seventh-place Doncaster.

But seemingly this summer's mass squad overhaul hasn't got the team to where owner Darragh MacAnthony expects.

Evans' last match saw his goalkeeper Conor O'Malley earn Posh a point with a 79th-minute penalty save after Jason Naismith brought down Josh Cullen on the edge of the area, although replays suggested he took the ball first.

Addicks striker Karlan Grant, who has been strongly liked with a move to Premier League Huddersfield, saw his weak penalty saved.

That was the second penalty the Irishman has saved in the league this season, on top of three in the cup.

A frustrated Charlton boss Lee Bowyer said: "The lads gave it everything and deserved to win. Especially in the second half we were by far the better side.

"We hit the bar and could not get on the end of a couple of crosses. We looked dangerous every time we came forward. They tried to hit us on the break.

"We deserved to win and I'm gutted for everybody – the fans and the players who gave it everything.

"There's not been many games where we did not score but it's another clean sheet. Another day we win by two or three.

"At half-time I just said be more confident in possession and more positive – back yourself, you're a good footballing side. And we showed that today. The quality we showed was very high.

"I'm just disappointed for everybody, but at least we haven't come away with nothing."

The penalty save was the big moment in a match of few chances between two sides in the play-off positions.

The Addicks, who sit in fourth, had won three and drawn one of their past four matches before the game, and after soaking up some early pressure Cullen tested O'Malley with a volley which the goalkeeper tipped over.

A minute into the second half Posh could have scored when Ivan Toney crossed low to Matt Godden, but his strike partner shot wide.

Grant then saw a deflected shot from the left-hand side of the penalty area hit the bar and bounce clear.

The striker should then have won the match, only for O'Malley to deny him from the spot.

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