A dreadful advertisement for second division football - but Peterborough boss Barry Fry wasn't too bothered as his side celebrated a vital victory at fellow strugglers Barnsley.
Peterborough, lying just above the drop zone, had trailed at half time but fought back with two second-half goals, the winner being turned in by Barnsley defender Lee Crooks.
The defeat heaped further pressure on Barnsley boss Glyn Hodges as the Tykes move ever closer to an unwanted second successive relegation.
Barnsley had started quite brightly and midfielder Mitch Ward was inches away with a fine 25-yard free kick on ten minutes.
Four minutes later the home side did make the break through, Bruce Dyer being tripped at the far post and the referee pointing immediately to the spot.
Dyer stepped up and drilled in a quality penalty, high to the keeper's left, for his 18th goal of the season.
Peterborough looked dangerous on the break, mainly through the pace of their experienced forward Andy Clarke and Tykes keeper Martin Taylor twice had to make brave blocks just inside his box.
Then on 16 minutes Taylor did well to deal with a Clarke shot that sped through a crowd of players.
But the quality was very poor from both sides, the ball spending more time in the air than on the grass.
And typically Barnsley's good work was wasted by a shocking second half performance.
Alex Neil did go close in the 48th minute, bringing a fine save from Mark Tyler, but from then on it was Peterborough who looked the more dangerous.
They levelled with an equally controversial penalty in the 58th minute, Crooks being adjudged to have climbed on Clarke and defender mark Arber sent Taylor the wrong way from the spot.
United then grabbed the winner in bizarre fashion 14 minutes from time, a low cross from substitute Tony Scully being sliced into his own net by Crooks.
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