The new headmaster's first match report was intriguing.

The Albion players were awarded an A for effort by Mark McGhee, something more like a C for aptitude.

His pupils just about passed the test by ending the run of three defeats before McGhee took charge, with the proviso 'could do better'.

There were merits for some, homework for others. McGhee has wasted no time in making his mark.

He could not afford to with a hectic start of three matches in eight days (Boston visit Withdean in the LDV Vans Trophy on Tuesday night, then their Third Division neighbours Lincoln host Albion in the FA Cup on Saturday).

By the end of that game McGhee believes the picture will be much clearer.

His first training session with the players only took place four days ago.

After an eventful encounter, which leaves Peterborough still without a home win in the League this season, McGhee remarked: "Some of the things I said on the training ground people now realise are true.

"Some things happened in a good way and others were demonstrated in a poor way, so it gives me the opportunity to go back to them and say 'I told you so'.

"I expect by the end of the three games that things will be happening in a better way."

Peter Taylor merely tinkered when he took over from Micky Adams a month earlier into the season two years ago.

McGhee's arrival coincided with a mini slump in form. It is more a case of delicate surgery being required than a major operation and the studious Scot is already sharpening his scalpel.

Albion showed an abundance of spirit in coming from behind twice, but they looked porous at the back in the first half and a "tendency to give the ball away unnecessarily" was a consistent theme of McGhee's post-match interviews.

"At times the defence were a little bit uncertain," McGhee said. "I'd asked them to do certain things, particularly the two wide players (Gary Hart and Nathan Jones).

"They maybe hadn't fully understood what I had in mind and at times were doing the job that the fullbacks should really be doing.

"In the second half we did that better. We allowed the fullbacks to do their jobs which released a few wide players and we got further up field and looked more effective."

In the end it came down to a shoot-out between the goalscoring Leon's, Knight for Albion and McKenzie for Peterborough.

The latter could be on his way to Wigan, although Steve Coppell has re-ignited his interest in the former Crystal Palace marksman now that he has gone to Reading.

Coppell wanted McKenzie when he was Albion's manager but could not afford him. His director of football Nicky Hammond was at London Road to watch McKenzie, who came close to signing for the Seagulls under Peter Taylor.

"When they were promoted he left, so that killed the situation," McKenzie said. "He wanted to take me to Hull as well, but they are not in the right division for me at the moment."

Albion wobbled after 15 minutes when Gareth Jelleyman's left-wing cross was headed in by McKenzie.

Knight ended his and the team's three-game goalless run 11 minutes later, tucking in Jones' centre at the near post when the Welshman got the better of Matthew Gill.

Another three minutes and Posh were back in front, Calum Wilock cutting inside from McKenzie's cross to score with a low left-foot drive.

Knight restored parity again midway through the second half, turning to slot in from point blank range after Kerry Mayo's long throw had been headed on by Guy Butters.

McGhee, his plans disrupted by Fulham's decision to recall Zesh Rehman, had switched from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 by then by introducing Shaun Wilkinson for his first League appearance of the season in place of Jones.

His attacking policy almost paid off as a curling effort from Chris McPhee was deflected just off target for a corner.

Peterborough nearly pinched the points as well, Willock crashing an angled drive against the bar.

Knight nearly helped himself to a first half hat-trick. His early lob was cleared off the line by Mark Arber and he later toe-poked agonisingly wide after outpacing the former Barnet stopper.

"It was good to get back on the scoresheet and not to lose the game," Knight said. "It was tough coming from behind, but we always knew we would create chances."

Knight praised the industry of his young partner McPhee and so too did McGhee. The new boss believes there is still room for improvement from the two-goal hero as well.

"You need a goalscoring centre forward and his goals were terrific," he said. "Around the goal he always looked as if he could get more, but I saw other things that he is going to have to do better. He is part of a team."

McGhee's previous team Millwall scored four at Peterborough in his first match with them on the way to the Second Division title.

A share of four this time was about right on the balance of play. At least the losing streak has been halted and Albion and Knight are back among the goals.

QPR and Colchester were the only winners among the top nine, emphasising yet again what an open division it is. It would be surprising if the Seagulls under the astute McGhee do not remain in the thick of the promotion race.

  • ALBION (4-4-2): Kuipers (gk) 6; Watson (rb) 6, Mayo (lb) 6, Cullip (cd) 7, Pethick (cm) 7, Knight (f) 8, Hart (rm) 6, Carpenter (cm) 7, Butters (cd) 6, Jones (lm) 6, McPhee (f) 7. Subs: Wilkinson for Jones (withdrawn 59), Hinshelwood, Harding, Rehman, Roberts.
  • Scorers: Knight (26) and (68).
  • Bookings: None.
  • PETERBOROUGH (4-4-2): Tyler; Gill, Rea, Arber, Farrell, Clarke, McKenzie, Woodhouse, Jelleyman, Thomson, Willock. Subs: Legg, Newton for Willock (withdrawn 78), Kanu for Gill (injured 50), Fotiadis, Logan for Clarke (injured 46).
  • Scorers: McKenzie (15), Willock (29).
  • Bookings: None.
  • Half-Time: Peterborough 2 Albion 1.
  • Attendance: 5,929.
  • Fan's View: Mike Duffell (Worthing).

At times it was difficult to tell which team was where in the league. We should be taking all the points when playing teams at this end of the table.

We were caught cold and the marking was poor for both goals. Hopefully the new manager will work on keeping the ball as it was given away far too often.

Leon Knight took his goals well with some good build up play on both occasions and was unlucky with another effort that went just wide.

As the game went on we became stronger and it looked like we might just nick it.

The team needs to play to it's strengths. The ball needs to spend more time on the ground. But I'm sure it will be back to winning ways at the Withdean on Tuesday.