Dean Keates scored a looping header at the back post to give Peterborough United their fifth successive victory to keep up the pressure on league leaders Milton Keynes Dons.

The visitors, Bury, squandered the clearest opportunity in the first five minutes of action, as Adam Rooney blazed over the bar from close range following a quick counter attack which started at goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

At the other end, a driven cross from Jamie Day was headed wide of the target by Chris Whelpdale as Posh played some neat football in a tight area.

George Boyd headed wide from a Mackail-Smith cross on 11 minutes after the hard-working striker had dispossessed Bury centre back Efe Sodje. Goalkeeper Joe Lewis made a superb save to deny a dipping volley from Paul Scott as the Shakers pressed for the breakthrough.

Day, who scored twice in the midweek win over Wrexham, drilled a shot well wide of the target on 23 minutes as chances were few and far between for Darren Ferguson's side.

Whelpdale saw a left footed low shot well gathered by Randolph after creating a bit of space for himself with a neat turn. Charlie Lee cracked a volley wide of the mark after a new variation on a free kick caught Bury cold.

Whelpdale and Scott were both cautioned in two separate incidents, the Posh midfielder receiving a yellow card for a high challenge. Fussy referee Mr P Joslin, cautioned Chris Westwood for a challenge which appeared to win the ball as Bury continued to frustrate the home side.

Posh made half time substitution with Micah Hyde replacing Whelpdale as Lee moved to the right hand side of midfield as Darren Ferguson tried to get Posh into the game.

Posh were inches away from breaking the deadlock on 53 minutes as Gnakpa's cross picked out Mackail-Smith at the near post but the strikers glancing header clipped the outside of the post before rolling to safety. Mclean then saw an acrobatic overhead kick fly wide of Randolph's far post as the pressure began to build.

To their credit Bury responded well and goalkeeper Lewis had to produce a fine finger tip save to push over a fierce Andy Bishop strike from 25 yards.

Posh broke the deadlock on 58 minutes and it came form an unlikely source as a fine cross from Gnakpa was headed over goalkeeper Randolph by the smallest man on the pitch Dean KEATES.

Lewis again proved why he is so highly rated with a superb save to deny Rooney and then Frenchman Gnakpa produced a last ditch tackle to stop Bishop converting the rebound as Bury again looked threatening.

Gnakpa was cautioned for tugging back Hurst as the visitors won a free kick on the edge of the area and Bishop sent a dipping free kick inches passed the upright with Lewis rooted to the spot.

Mclean saw a low shot drift just wide of the target on 84 minutes as Posh tried to settle any nerves with a second goal.

Bury made a double substitution four minutes from time with Simon Yeo and Richie Baker introduced to the action. Hurst was denied by Lewis at the back post moments later as Posh desperately tried to cling on to their one goal advantage.

Four minutes of injury time was indicated by the fourth official as the home side prayed for the final whistle and a head injury to Lee added to the stoppage time.

There was confusion moments later as Mclean was told to give the ball back to the goalkeeper, but he overhit his pass and Randolph was forced to tip the ball over. Day kicked the ball out of play from the resulting corner kick.

Final Score: Peterborough United 1-0 Bury

Referee: Mr P Joslin (Nottinghamshire)
Attendance: 6,150 (164 Bury fans)