Harry Leonard was the match-winner for Posh as a goal inside the last 10 minutes earned a 1-0 win at struggling Port Vale.
Striker Harry Leonard moved onto seven goals for the season and took his recent tally to four goals in three games as Peterborough United marked their 1,500th league away fixture in the club's history with a 1-0 win at Port Vale.
Leonard's goal came on 82 minutes and means he has scored in five of the seven league games since Luke Williams took charge of the club at the end of October.
It was a win that Posh certainly shaded, particularly on the second half display after having to withstand a barrage of early pressure from the Valiants, which won post-match praise from Williams.
However, despite their early dominance, the clearest opportunity was headed wide by Ben Waine with goalkeeper Alex Bass largely untroubled throughout the 90 minutes.
In contrast, Posh created chances on the break in the first half with Leonard superbly denied by former Posh loanee Ben Amos and also seeing a curler claimed by the ex-Manchester United stopper.
Kyrell Lisbie, who was a threat throughout, fired wide of the near post after a marauding run and Matt Garbett glanced a header wide.
In the second half, substitute Cian Hayes was kept out by Amos with Leonard denied by Amos alongside JJ Morgan who also went close.
Devante Cole headed wide at the other end before the deadlock was broken on 82 minutes, LEONARD finding the corner after a cut back from Lisbie. Collins fired wide in stoppage time as Posh saw out the remaining seven minutes of injury time to move into 16th place in the table.
Port Vale: Amos, Clark (sub Faal 77min), Headley, Heneghan, Hall (sub Debrah 17min), Walters, Paton, Croasdale, Waine (sub Curtis 60min), Hall, Cole. Unused subs: Gauci, Stockley, Shipley, Lomax.
Posh: Bass, Collins, Lees (sub O’Connor 70min), Woods, Lisbie, Morgan (sub Hayes 60min), Okagbue, Leonard, Garbett (sub Lindgren 70min), Dornelly, Mendy (sub Johnston 40min). Unused subs: Reyes, Frith, O'Brien-Brady.
Half-time: Port Vale 0-0 Peterborough United
Full-time: Port Vale 0-1 Peterborough United
Attendance: 7,533 (702 Posh fans)
Referee: Kirsty Dowle