Posh knew they would be under the pump at Stevenage, so to arrive under the weather was not ideal preparation.
All of the preparations ahead of the trip to Hertfordshire included Tom Lees and George Nevett at the heart of the Peterborough United back-line, so to arrive at Stevenage, a side renowned for their physical approach without both of them due to illness, was always going to be a challenge.
Lees and Nevett both pulled out on the morning of the contest while midfielder Archie Collins was also struggling with boss Luke Williams praising his commitment in the second half after he felt awful during the half-time interval.
As it was, Posh actually defended well for large spells with Lucca Mendonca excellent on his first league start for the club, and there were question marks around the goal the hosts did score with some upset that a foul on Alex Bass wasn't spotted.
Deep into the second half, Posh had appeals for a spot-kick turned down when Kyrell Lisbie appeared to be fouled in the box, but aside from that, chances were few and far between at both ends.
Harvey White fired over from distance, Harry Cornick saw a low effort saved by Alex Bass while at the other end, there were scraps to feed off with only half chances for the boys in blue.
The goal when it came arrived from a set-piece rather needlessly conceded with SWEENEY powering home a header from close-range from Earley's delivery.
Posh made changes to get back into the contest, but were unable to find a way back into the game despite the efforts of Cian Hayes, who was on the end of some predictable rough treatment.
Posh host Huddersfield Town at the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday (3pm) with tickets on sale now.
Stevenage: Marschall, Piergianni, Sweeney, Cornick (sub Reid 56min), Phillips, Kemp, Roberts (sub Thompson 90min), Earley, Freestone, Pattenden, White (sub Lubala 90min). Unused subs: Ashby-Hammond, Campbell, Lubala, Doherty, Patterson.
Posh: Bass, Johnston, Collins, Khela, Lisbie, Morgan (sub Hayes 74min), Leonard (sub Aderoju 74min), Garbett (sub Odoh 74min), Kioso, Dornelly, Mendonca (sub O’Brien-Brady 84min). Subs: Smith, Frith, Sykut.
Half-time: Stevenage 0-0 Peterborough United
Full-time: Stevenage 1-0 Peterborough United
Attendance: TBC
Referee: Andrew Humphries