Birmingham's double dream dashed as Peterborough retain Vertu Trophy

Birmingham were denied a historic league and cup double as Peterborough upset the odds to lift the Vertu Trophy after a 2-0 win at Wembley.

The Blues were promoted back to the Championship on Tuesday night – ironically after a win against Darren Ferguson’s Posh – and won the Sky Bet League One title without kicking a ball on Saturday when Wrexham drew at Wigan.

Supported by a travelling crowd of around 50,000, the Blues looked bright in the opening stages – until they were stopped in their tracks by one of the great Wembley goals.

Nineteen-year-old Harley Mills – who started the season on loan at Enfield Town in the National League South – hit an unstoppable free-kick from 30 yards that went in via the underside of the crossbar.

And, on the stroke of half-time, Mills hand a big hand in the second, as his cross from the left was helped on by Ricky-Jade Jones to captain Hector Kyprianou, who slammed home to double the lead, right in front of the opposition fans.

Jones had the chance to make it three himself just after the hour, but he mis-kicked under pressure from Seung-Ho Paik, before Ryan Allsop made two strong follow-up saves.

Surprisingly for a team that has scored 100 goals in all competitions, the Blues were thoroughly uninspiring going forward and limp in attack. By the 80th minute, they had generated just 0.41 xG.

They thought they had pulled one back after 84, but when Jay Stansfield tucked home after Jed Steer had made a save, the offside flag was raised and the strike was correctly ruled out.

And so Peterborough became the first side in history to retain the EFL Trophy – following last season’s win over Wycombe – and the second to win it on three occasions, after Bristol City.