Darren Ferguson admitted he had been involved in an angry incident with an Everton player after he failed to bring on teenager Tyler Young as a substitute late in the third-round FA Cup tie.

With Everton not scoring a second goal until the 97th minute, the game hung in the balance as Ferguson made late replacements for League One Peterborough.

That meant no chance for midfielder Tyler, 18, to get on the field and play against his 39-year-old father Ashley, who had been brought on earlier in the half by Everton caretaker manager Leighton Baines in readiness for that historic moment.

Instead, Ferguson chased the game by bringing on more attacking replacements and he remained unrepentant, despite inciting the anger of one of Young senior’s unnamed team-mates.

“It was very difficult but I’ve got to do what is best for the team,” he said. “As much as I want to get Tyler to get on – if the game had been 2-0 then I would have got him on but at 1-0, I had to get a forward on.

“I’ve got to try to get something out of the game and do what is best for my team. I am not a charity case, as much as I wanted Tyler to get on with his dad.

“One of their players had a bit of a pop at me, which is bang out of order. I’ve got to do what is best for my team.”

Ashley looked a dejected figure on the final whistle, standing hands on hips and glaring at the players as they left the field.

“At 1-0, I’ve got to try to get a result,” added Ferguson. “It was a small thing but I’ve got to do what is best for my team.”