Peterborough United looked nervous, but they held on for all three points from their fixture with Stockport County to move a step closer to automatic promotion into the Coca-Cola Championship.

Darren Ferguson made a number of changes to his starting line-up for the visit of Stockport County with Dominic Green, Chris Westwood and Craig Morgan all handed starts, the latter replacing the injured Gabriel Zakuani.

It was Posh who made the brighter start and they came within a whisker of opening the scoring on three minutes as midfielder Dean Keates let fly, but the 25-yard shot went wide of the post. George Boyd tried his luck moments later, but the right-footed effort didn't trouble goalkeeper Conrad Logan.

An impressive burst from Paul Coutts saw him drive into the box, but his low centre was well collected by Logan at his near post. A great run from Boyd saw him burst into the penalty area, but his attempted effort with the inside of his boot rolled wide of the target.

Coutts had made a great start to the game and his superb run into the box could have produced a goal, but his shot was well blocked and then Keates header across the box was cleared away by Raynes under his own crossbar. Coutts was then cautioned for a late tackle on Greg Tansey.

Goalkeeper Logan made a superb save on 22 minutes to push a Keates header around the post after a glorious build-up from the hosts with Boyd again instrumental. Westwood headed the resulting corner straight at the shot-stopper when left all alone at the back post.

The breakthrough arrived on 24 minutes as a superb pass from Mclean picked out MACKAIL-SMITH who lobbed the ball over the advancing Logan for his 25th goal of the campaign.

The lively Boyd ran half the length of the field moments later, but his final shot went wide of the near post, although half of the stadium thought the ball had nestled in the back of the net.

Posh came inches away from doubling the advantage on 39 minutes, first Mackail-Smith was denied by goalkeeper Logan and as the ball ran loose, Green found the outside of the post from a tight angle with the rebound.

Chris O'Grady lifted a shot over the crossbar after good work from substitute Olli Johnson three minutes before the interval as the visitors found an attacking threat.

Stockport were determined to make an impression on this fixture and came out of the blocks keen to get back on level terms and Morgan had to be alert to block a goal-bound effort from James Vincent.

A foul from Morgan on the edge of the area gave the visitors a golden chance to level the scores on 49 minutes but goalkeeper Lewis made a good save before the crossbar came to the aid of the hosts as Turnbull let fly as the ball rolled loose.

Boyd was cautioned for a foul 35-yards from goal before Posh made a substitution with Chris Whelpdale replacing Green. Lee was well-placed to clear after a mix-up between Morgan and Lewis led to Rowe hooking the ball goal-wards. The nerves were plain to see on the pitch and in the stands as Posh struggled to keep possession.

Boyd saw a shot blocked on 65 minutes as the ball bobbled around the six-yard box as Darren Ferguson's men tried to find this second goal, which you would feel would kill the match off.

Keates floated a free-kick over the crossbar on 67 minutes after Coutts was fouled following a good burst through the middle of the pitch. Mackail-Smith was denied by Logan from close-range after an intelligent header back across goal from Whelpdale.

The assistant referee made a bizarre decision to give a free-kick by the touch-line despite the fact the ball was at Mackail-Smith's feet inside the area. It was a surprising decision by the officials as an advantage would have surely been the correct outcome.

A goal-mouth scramble ensued from the resulting free-kick with goalkeeper Logan doing well to pounce on the loose ball as Westwood headed the ball back across the six-yard box.

Mclean saw a snap-shot saved on 83 minutes as Posh threatened a second goal, which would definitely calm the crowd. A stunning effort from Whelpdale cracked against the outside of the post two minutes later, the shot coming from fully 30-yards with no back-lift.

Mclean was inches away from converting a Dean Keates cross moments later, but the powerful effort went wide of the near post. Lee Frecklington then replaced Coutts in midfield to try and ensure that Posh held onto the points and Mclean fired wide on 88 minutes after a long ball from Frecklington.

Boyd wasted a glorious chance late on to make the game safe, but he ballooned the ball over the bar from close-range. Stockport had appeals for a spot-kick turned down deep into stoppage time as Keates appeared to bring down Rowe in the box, but the referee decided to book the County striker for a dive.

Final Score: Peterborough United 1-0 Stockport County

Referee: L Probert
Attendance: 8,333 (284 Stockport fans)