Nottingham Forest claimed a narrow victory over Posh in a scrappy contest at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest claimed a late winner over Peterborough United in a scrappy contest, which was ultimately decided by a powerful header from Elliott Ward from Forest's upteenth corner kick.Posh new boy Davide Petrucci produced an impressive turn with his first touch at the City Ground, but his shot was blocked by Elliott Ward. Dwight Gayle saw a curler from 20-yards comfortably gathered by Sam Darlow on 12 minutes as Posh continued to dominate possession in the early exchanges.
Majewski fired over on the stretch from 10-yards on 18 minutes after a low cross from the left. The home side found the breakthrough on 28 minutes as Greg HALFORD looped a header past Olejnik following a corner kick, that the Posh fans behind the goal felt should of been a goal kick. Kane Ferdinand was on the line to clear, but the assistant referee flagged to give the goal.
Petrucci saw a left-footed effort go just wide of the near post as Posh tried to respond. At the other end, Simon Cox side-footed wide from 12-yards after another low centre from the left.
Bobby Olejnik then made a very smart stop to deny a powerful Sharp header as Forest ended the first half well. George Boyd was denied by Darlow on 44 minutes after a clever through ball by Gayle.
Jaanai Gordon replaced Ferdinand on 58 minutes as Darren Ferguson made his first tactical switch.
On the hour mark, Posh were level. A corner from Boyd was not cleared and the ball fell to Scott WOOTTON who made no mistake, firing home from close-range against his former club.
Boyd saw a speculative volley caught by Darlow on 65 minutes. On 72 minutes, Boyd was a whisker away from a stunning goal from fully 30-yards, the ball whistling just the far post with Darlow stranded.
Petrucci was cautioned for a late tackle just under the referee's nose on 75 minutes. On 79 minutes, Majewski missed a glorious chance to give Forest the lead, curling over from 10-yards.
The home side got their noses in front for a second time on 84 minutes as a corner was powered home past Olejnik by Elliott WARD, another to score against his former club on his first appearance for the new employers.
Grant McCann replaced the hard-working Joe Newell on 86 minutes. Nathaniel Mendezz-Laing replaced Brisley on 87 minutes.
Final Score: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Posh
Nottingham Forest: Darlow, Harding, Gillett, Cohen, Halford, Cox, Lansbury (sub Greening 79min), Sharp, Majewski (sub Moussi 88min), Ward, Jara. Unused subs: McGugan, Moloney, Derbyshire, Evtimov, Blake.
Posh: Olejnik, Rowe, Little, Bostwick, Wootton, Brisley (sub Mendez-Laing 87min), Boyd, Newell (sub McCann 85min), Ferdinand (sub Gordon 58min), Petrucci, Gayle. Unused subs: Day, Alcock, Richens, Knight-Percival.
Attendance: 22,777 (1,636 Posh fans)