Peterborough United boss Gary Johnson suffered defeat in his first game in charge, but he will be happy with his side's commitment at London Road against play-off hopefuls Leicester City, who claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory.

Dominic Green recorded the first effort of the game, but his low shot was easily claimed by goalkeeper Chris Weale as the Gary Johnson era got underway in bright sunshine at London Road.

Tommy Rowe was cautioned for preventing a free-kick to be taken quickly on eight minutes. Paul Gallagher volleyed over the top on 14 minutes after the ball sat up kindly for the former Blackburn Rovers winger.

Sergio Torres clearly is a fan of Lionel Messi, he showed superb footwork to beat two defenders as he advanced into the box, but his left-foot shot was deflected away from danger by Michael Morrison.

Craig Morgan saw a header hacked away on the line by Bruno Berner moments later and then Craig Mackail-Smith tried to force the ball over the line, but he was squeezed out and the ball rebounded over the top.

Leicester were enjoying some good possession, but were lacking a cutting edge as the game reached the half-hour mark with neither goalkeeper as yet severely troubled. Andy King saw a shot deflect over the crossbar on 37 minutes, but the corner kick came to nothing.

Leicester opened the scoring in controversial circumstances on 42 minutes as Green appeared to be fouled in the centre circle, but the referee waved play-on and Steve HOWARD took advantage, firing low into the net via the inside of the post.

Howard fired over from fully 30-yards on the stroke of half-time as the Foxes continued to press, buoyed by that goal.

Half-time: Posh 0-1 Leicester City

It was a quiet start to the second half and Posh boss Gary Johnson decided on a change just before the hour mark as Ben Wright replaced Sergio Torres with Posh now deploying two in attack.

Wright made an immediate impact, his superb ball inside the full-back found ROWE who coolly slotted the ball past the advancing goalkeeper to level the scores.

However, the joy was shortlived as the Foxes soon restored their advantage as midfielder Andy KING nodded home from close range after Vaughan had knocked the ball past across goal after a superb cross from Gallagher.

Mackail-Smith was denied by goalkeeper Weale as Posh responded well to the disappointment of conceding. Lee glanced a header wide of the target from a Rowe corner kick on 74 minutes.

Posh pushed Morgan in attack for the final six or seven minutes and his height created a chance for Mackail-Smith, whose shot was smothered by Weale.

Final Score: Posh 1-2 Leicester City

Posh: Lewis, Morgan, Lee, Rowe, Torres (sub Wright 57min), Green, Bennett, Griffiths, Simpson, Geohaghon, Mackail-Smith. Unused subs: McKeown, Crook, Mills, McCrae, Appiah, Piergianni.

Leicester: Weale, Morrison, Brown, Howard, King, Berner, Waghorn (sub Vaughan 62min), Wellens, Gallagher (sub Adams 85min), Hobbs, Spearing (sub Oakley 85min). Unused subs: Logan, N'Guessan, Kermorgant, Bruce.