Dean Keates was the Peterborough United hero as he scored the winner as Darren Ferguson's men secured automatic promotion to Coca-Cola League One with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Hereford United at Edgar Street.

There was mixed news for manager Darren Ferguson ahead of kick-off with Craig Mackail-Smith declared fit enough to start, but Jamie Day pulled out with a hip injury as Tom Williams took his place at left-back in an otherwise unchanged line-up.

Posh won the first corner kick of the afternoon inside the opening two minutes after an impressive burst from Williams down the left. The flag-kick from Chris Whelpdale was cleared at the near post by Richard Rose. A superb cross from Williams on seven minutes was well defended by Rob Beckwith as Aaron Mclean closed in.

A snap shot from Boyd flashed wide of the target after good hold up play from Mackail-Smith as Posh created a half-chance on 12 minutes. Gary Hooper showed good pace to get in behind Chris Westwood moments later, but Joe Lewis sent the on-loan striker wide of the goal and his cross was cleared by Williams with Ben Smith rifling the shot well over the crossbar.

A 20-yard effort from Clint Easton, who scored against Posh in the corresponding fixture last year, skidded past Lewis' right-hand post as Hereford continued to play some slick fast-paced football on a surface made slicker by the driving rain.

Chris Westwood saw a goal-bound shot blocked as Hereford struggled to clear a Williams free-kick with several efforts bouncing in the Bulls penalty area. The deadlock was broken on the half hour mark and it was the smallest man on the pitch who got it, Dean KEATES stooping to head home a fine Whelpdale cross with Brown rooted to the spot as the ball flew into the corner.

Some excellent trickery from Boyd saw him beat two defenders on the edge of the box, but he dragged his right-foot shot wide of the far post. Williams was cautioned for a late challenge on Igoe as Hereford tried to force themselves back into proceedings.

Both sides then had a spell of giving the ball away, maybe the nerves of the occasion was getting to the players and Posh were looking towards the half-time whistle. A free-kick from Easton was comfortably claimed by Lewis after a foul by Morgan was penalised by the referee Mr Haywood.

A patient build-up on the stroke of half-time saw Posh win a late corner kick after Boyd's shot deflected away off Easton, but Keates' corner was cleared. The half-time whistle was greeted by cheers from the Posh faithful, half-way to promotion, but still a long 45 minutes ahead.

Both sides went through the pre-second half warm up and it was the officials that were the last out of the dressing rooms. A massive 45 minutes for Posh, a clean sheet would see the club promoted to League One-can they hold on?

If it wasn't for goalkeeper Lewis the answer was no inside the first minute as the Bulls motored out of the traps with Guinan's fierce effort pushed away by the former Norwich City shot-stopper. Hereford were certainly fired up and Posh were looking a bit nervous as the crowd started to get behind their team.

A superb tackle from Morgan stopped the pacy Hooper cutting inside after a slip from Westwood on 53 minutes. A fierce shot from Newton was expertly tipped over the crossbar by Brown after Posh countered with pace.

Whelpdale and Westwood both saw headers deflected wide which occurred moments after a suicidal bit of footwork from Lewis, who decided to take several touches instead of just clearing the ball down field.

If Mclean had been more sure with his touch he could have extended the advantage following a long throw from Whelpdale, but he trod on the ball somewhat and the chance was snuffed out by Karl Broadhurst.

Substitute Theo Robinson nearly made a positive impact with his first touch after getting a boot to Hooper's cross, but Lewis dived on the ball as it rolled dangerously around the six-yard box. The introduction of Robinson had certainly made an effect with the home faithful turning the noise level up considerably.

A mistake from Broadhurst nearly let in Mclean, but his first touch bounced off his shin and Brown pounced on the ball. Ben Smith sent a volley over the bar on 70 minutes after a poor header from Westwood.

Lewis made a superb save to deny Guinan after a dreadful piece of defending from the visitors, the striker seeing his right-foot shot stopped by the legs of the goalkeeper. Mackail-Smith saw a powerful shot saved by Brown on 76 minutes after racing onto a long through ball from Morgan with the chance coming moments after a double change from the Bulls with Trevor Benjamin and Simon Johnson introduced.

Lewis was credited with a fine fingertip save from a fierce 35-yard shot by McClenahan before Smith lofted a volley over the upright. Mackail-Smith saw a shot smothered by Brown on 87 minutes before Hooper slid wide at the other end. Hereford won a corner kick on 89 minutes but it was cleared for another flag-kick as four minutes of stoppage time was indicated by the fourth official.

Final Score: Hereford United 0-1 Peterborough United

Referee: Mr M Haywood (West Yorkshire)
Attendance: 5,279 (1,177 Posh fans)