Dave Robertson's rein as caretaker manager got off to the perfect start as his charges beat Bradford City 2-0 at the ABAX Stadium.
Peterborough United recorded a 2-0 victory over play-off hopefuls Bradford City at the ABAX Stadium with an own goal and a penalty from Michael Bostwick securing three deserved points.The Bantams, backed by a noisy away contingent, had the first effort towards goal, but Oliver Burke's effort cleared the crossbar comfortably.
Luke James was denied by a superb stop by Pickford by his near post after he cut inside from the left and from the resulting corner kick, Gabriel Zakuani powered a header wide of the target following Newell's deep delivery.
Burke saw a left-foot curler go inches past the upright after an intelligent lay off from Stead as the visitors came close to the breakthrough.
Vassell wriggled his way into the box on 17 minutes, but couldn't keep his left-foot shot down. Taylor deserves credit for his pressure on the Bantams back-line to create that opportunity out of nothing.
Alnwick was well positioned to deny a low drive from Alan Sheehan on 25 minutes. Bostwick fired wide of the far upright three minutes after the re-start after good work from Taylor and Smith in the build up.
The deadlock was broken on 52 minutes as a superb free-kick from Taylor was bundled home at the back post with Bantams full-back Stephen DARBY appearing to get the final touch for an own goal.
Posh were screaming for a handball moments later as Davies appeared to handle in the box, but nothing was given by the referee.
Posh made their first change on 66 minutes with Harry Beautyman replacing Vassell in attack. Dave Robertson introduced youngster Harry Anderson for his first team debut on 82 minutes with the injured James replaced.
Halliday volleyed a cross from Yeates over the bar when well positioned on the edge of the box as the game entered the last five minutes of normal time with a sizeable chunk of extra time looming.
Posh made it 2-0 on 89 minutes as a penalty was awarded by the official for a clear handball against Knott and Michael BOSTWICK fired home the spot-kick.
Six minutes of added time was then signalled by the fourth official as David Norris replaced the excellent Taylor. Knott squandered a very late chance to cut the arrears, but he shot into the ground and Alnwick picked up the ball.
Full-Time: Posh 2-0 Bradford City
Posh: Alnwick, Smith, Ntlhe, Bostwick Taylor (sub Norris 90min), Payne, James (sub H. Anderson 82min), Vassell (sub Beautyman 66min), Santos, Zakuani. Unused subs: Henry, Brisley, Oztumer, Burgess.
Bradford: Pickford, Darby, Davies, Sheehan, Clarke, Knott, Stead, Kennedy (sub Yeates 77min), McArdle, Burke (sub Zoko 65min), Halliday (sub McBurnie 90min). Unused subs: Williams, Dolan, Meredith, Routis, McBurnie.
Attendance: 6,494 (785 Bradford fans).