A goal from David Clarkson earned Bristol City a narrow 1-0 victory at London Road in a game that was devoid of any real tempo and goalscoring opportunities for the hosts whose best chance arrived in stoppage time as Craig Mackail-Smith fired over.

The visitors took control early on and goalkeeper Joe Lewis was called upon to make the first save of the afternoon, tipping a Bradley Orr strike over the crossbar after a good pass out wide from experienced midfielder Paul Hartley.

At the other end, a deep cross from Tommy Rowe was headed clear under pressure from Chris Whelpdale by full-back Liam Fontaine. Whelpdale was soon out of the action after landing akwardly with Kerrea Gilbert replacing him on the right. Nicky Maynard tested Lewis from long-range moments later, but the shot-stopper was not troubled by the effort.

Lewis did well to parry a fierce Fontaine effort after a mistake from Mackail-Smith on 16 minutes and the goalkeeper was at it again moments later, denying Danny Haynes whose low shot packed power.

Josh SImpson was cautioned on 19 minutes for a foul on Hartley after trying to atone for his initial error, but the resulting set-piece was woeful from the former Celtic man. Jamal Campbell-Ryce curled a 25-yard shot over the crossbar as the visitors continued to show signs of finding the breakthrough.

Substitute Kerrea Gilbert was determined in the tackle on 38 minutes, but his low centre was just too far ahead of Craig Mackail-Smith. Orr fired wide after a Maynard lay-off as City responded well.

Half-time: Posh 0-0 Bristol City

Youth team graduate Nathan Koranteng was withdrawn on 55 minutes and he can be happy with his display in difficult circumstances. Reuben Reid was the man to replace the youngster.

Gilbert sent another teasing cross into the box on 58 minutes, but again Mackail-Smith couldn't stretch to divert the ball goalwards. From the resulting set-piece, Exodus Geohaghon was denied by Dean Gerken as Posh registered their first effort on goal.

Hartley struck the advertising hoarding on the top of the away end on 62 minutes as City patiently moved forward and the same player found the side-netting with a free-kick moments later.  

On 66 minutes, Craig Mackail-Smith struck the crossbar with a left-foot cross that sailed over goalkeeper Gerken. Mackail-Smith had created the space brilliantly with a neat turn.

A good tackle from Gilbert set up another attack for Posh three minutes later but Josh SImpson's low shot was comfortable stopped by Gerken. On 71 minutes, the Robins took the lead, ironically after Posh's best spell in the game as an in-swinging corner from Hartley was headed past Lewis by substitute CLARKSON who had the freedom of the area to nod past the goalkeeper.

Clarkson wasted a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 on 79 minutes after a great run and cross from Christian Ribiero down the right hand side. Clarkson fired over moments later and he was in a good position to shoot, so should have done better with his effort.

Reuben Reid showed good ball control to beat two defenders and his cross was heading for Mackail-Smith at the back post until Gerken diverted it away from danger before Geohaghon headed wide from the resulting corner.

Lee Frecklington was twice denied by blocks from Fontaine as the match entered the final few minutes as Posh tried hard to earn a point from this frustrating afternoon. Mackail-Smith guided a late shot over the bar after Frecklington's attempt was intercepted.

Final Score: Posh 0-1 Bristol City

Posh: Lewis, Zakuani, Lee, Frecklington, Rowe, Mackail-Smith, Whelpdale (sub Gilbert 13min), Griffiths, Koranteng (sub Reid 55min), Simpson (sub Torres 75min), Geohaghon. Unused subs: Gilbert, McKeown, Day, Mills, Reid, Green.

Bristol City: Gerken, Orr, Fontaine, Carey, Elliott (sub Sno 86min), Maynard, Hartley (sub Johnson 83min), Skuse, Ribeiro, Campbell-Ryce, Haynes (sub Clarkson 61min). Unused subs: Sproule, Henderson, Sawyer, Maierhofer.

Attendance: 6,445 (793 City fans)