Peterborough United kept up their automatic promotion push with a vital 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers with Aaron Mclean scoring the only goal of the game at the Memorial Stadium.

Manager Darren Ferguson included Chris Westwood alongside Charlie Lee at the heart of the defence in the absence of Gabriel Zakuani due to suspension and the continuing absence of Craig Morgan due to a toe injury.

The home side registered the first attempt towards goal on eight minutes as striker Daryll Duffy fired wide of the near post after a low centre from David Pipe. Bristol Rovers had appeals for a spot-kick turned down on the quarter hour mark as Westwood looked to have handled a Pipe free-kick. Posh immediately broke at pace and George Boyd was hacked down right on the edge of the area, but Dean Keates floated his free-kick straight at the wall.

Posh had appeals for a penalty themselves turned down on 20 minutes as Elliott appeared to handle before Boyd forced a fine save Phillips following a dipping strike and then the goalkeeper claimed a curling effort from Charlie Lee as the defender had a go from distance.

Posh played some excellent football on 24 minutes as a pass from Martin found Boyd and he in turn played a glorious ball through to Mackail-Smith, but the front man saw his fierce shot saved by Phillips with Boyd directing the rebound wide of the target. It was quality football from Darren Ferguson's men and it deserved the opening goal.

A speculative effort from Rickie Lambert went wide of the target on 30 minutes as the division's top marksman had a go from fully 35 yards. Lee was penalised for a push on Lambert a yard outside the penalty area moments later but the forward fired well wide of the far post.

Good link-up play between the front men created another opportunity for Mackail-Smith, but he fired his shot straight at Phillips who made a routine stop.

Rickie Lambert tested goalkeeper Lewis from distance five minutes into the second period, but in truth the opening exchanges were fairly scrappy with both sides struggling to get the ball on the floor.

The Pirates had certainly made a better start to the second period, mainly due to the fact that they were keeping the ball better and Posh were needing to settle to get themselves back into this contest.

Scottish midfielder Paul Coutts flashed a shot wide of the upright after good hold-up play from Mclean on 62 minutes, Mclean squandered the first clear-cut opportunity of the second half four minutes later as the ball dropped loose in the penalty area, the striker dragging his shot wide of the target.

The Pirates made a double change on 67 minutes as Jo Kuffour and Stuart Campbell were introduced by manager Paul Trollope. Posh opened the scoring on 71 minutes and it was MCLEAN who did the damage, intercepting a Mackail-Smith shot to turn and fire past Phillips.

Coutts flashed a shot wide on 83 minutes as Rovers made their final substitution, introducing Sean Rigg for Hughes. Rovers were inches away from the leveller four minutes from time as Elliott glanced a Campbell free-kick goal-wards with Anthony inches away from connecting at the far post.

Four minutes of stoppage time was indicated by the fourth official as Posh tried to cling on to the points. Pipe headed a deep cross wide of the target two minutes into stoppage time after an excellent cross from Lescott. Lescott then dragged a shot wide of the target before Lee missed his kick, only to see Kuffour behind him miss control the ball.

Final Score: Bristol Rovers 0-1 Peterborough United

Referee: C Boyeson
Attendance: 7,103 (466 Posh fans)