DARREN Ferguson felt that luck was on Oxford United’s side as they edged past his Peterborough United team in the Sky Bet League One play-off semi-finals.

The U’s led 1-0 from the first leg, and a 1-1 draw at London Road ensured passage into the play-off final against Bolton Wanderers a week on Saturday.

Ferguson rued what he felt was a handball decision not awarded in favour of his team, when the ball hit United left back Joe Bennett in his own penalty area four minutes into the second period.

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Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Ferguson said: “I’m proud of my team, I’m proud of my players, and I’m proud of the season we’ve had. Tonight just wasn’t our night. We’ve absolutely battered them and they’re very lucky to get through.

“You need luck in these types of games. The referee gives them a penalty and we’ve got a blatant handball, and he’s not given it.

“Lady Luck was with Oxford tonight, and you need a bit of luck in these games. When the big decisions are made, you need them to be the correct ones, and he got one wrong badly.

“I thought we played really well and were the dominant team throughout and unfortunately with the goal we scored, we conceded so quickly after that.

“I’m really proud of the whole club and how we’ve gone about it.”