PETERBOROUGH stormed into the last four of the Knock Out Cup – with a stunning title pick-me-up.

PETERBOROUGH stormed into the last four of the Knock Out Cup – with a stunning title pick-me-up.

And team boss Trevor Swales insists the demolition of quarter final rivals Swindon is the ideal tonic before Monday night’s play-off clash with semi final opponents Coventry.

He said: “We needed a big performance before Monday and we certainly got it. The track was excellent and we were really sharp all the way through.

“We have to carry that through to the play-off meeting now.

“We know how tough it’s going to be on Monday, but we’re up for it.

“We were excellent for 12 heats at Coventry and if we show that form, rather than the form of the last three heats, then we can definitely do it. It is a lot to make up, but we can do it.”

The 58-37 second leg victory sees Peterborough face Poole in next month’s semi final after a 99-86 aggregate win.

The Readypower Panthers had to overcome an eight-point deficit against the Robins – they are 14 behind Coventry as they cling into hopes of the double – and had wiped off the arrears within six races.

A superb all-round performance – Peterborough’s only last place came when Rory Schlein stopped in his opening ride – was highlighted by an other double-figure contribution from fit-again reserve Norbert Kosciuch who has now scored 14, paid 21, on his last two East of England Showground performances.

Top scorer Troy Batchelor added: “It was a great practice run for Monday. We scored points from one to seven and that’s something we have to repeat against Coventry.”

PETERBOROUGH 58 (Troy Batchelor 13, Kenneth Bjerre 11:2, Norbert Kosciuch 8:3, Krzysztof Buczkowski 8, Niels-Kristian Iversen 8, Rory Schlein 7:1, Dakota North 3:2).

SWINDON 37 (Grzegorz Zengota 18, Leigh Adams 10, Simon Stead 4, Justin Sedgmen 2, Cory Gathercole 2, Mads Korneliussen 1, rider replacement for Maciej Janowski).