Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson believes his side's promotion experience could be crucial this season as Posh look to close the gap on the top two this evening when they travel to Walsall.

Wolves shot to the top of the table on Saturday thanks to a 1-0 win at Notts County but Leyton Orient's surprise home defeat to Preston gives Ferguson's men a great chance to close the gap to three points on the Londoners.

Having experienced promotion twice during his time at London Road Ferguson is sure his side can stay the distance in what looks like being a three-horse race in the third tier.

'We've just got to pick up as many points as we can and see where it takes us,' Ferguson told the club's official website. 'You have to give Leyton Orient and Wolves respect in terms of being above us.

'Teams will drop points along the way but we all know how to get promotions. We've got the experience of that and we fully know that in November it's just another month.

'It's the team that's the most consistent that will pick up the points but there are more than 30 games to go.'

Peterborough learned they will face Newport in the semi-finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Section semi-final in the week commencing December 9 after overcoming Dagenham & Redbridge in midweek.

But Ferguson is keen to get his side's league season back on track after consecutive defeats against Colchester and Leyton Orient but knows Walsall could prove tricky opposition.

'They (Walsall) are a good footballing team – it will be a good footballing match. They've got some good individuals. They have done really well considering they lost three of their better players from last season.

'It will be a tough game but we will be fully prepared and we've got to try and get going again in the league because our last performance was a poor one.

'We have generally reacted well to defeats. If we can go on another run like last time we were defeated then I'll be happy.'