Match Report

The Posh made it seven wins out of eight to strengthen their grip on second place in League One.

It was another hard-fought win by a one goal margin but Aaron McLean's 70th minute goal, his seventeenth, came at the climax of a long spell of pressure.

McLean had already seen one shot charged down when he swooped on a blocked shot from his partner Craig Mackail-Smith.
His low drive from in front of goal gave keeper Steve Phillips no chance.

Rovers had plenty of the ball but could not match Peterborough's enterprise and control in the final third.

They had their best chance early on with a well-merited shout for a penalty against Chris Westwood for hands but their appeals were ignored by referee Carl Boyeson.

It was an unlucky 13th minute for them for few clear chances came their way after this.

Rickie Lambert, their deadball specialist, had good reason to feel aggrieved when the penalty was turned down but when two free-kicks were given around the box, he thundered one wide of the far post and sent the other into the wall.

Whilst the home side were finding it difficult to raise a shot, the Posh, vividly orchestrated by George Boyd were firing plenty.

Byron Anthony bravely flung himself in front of shot from Boyd and collected a very personal injury and Phillips also needed treatment after a collision with the busy McLean.

Boyd's free spirit once saw him set up a break for Mackail-Smith and he then raced through for a follow-up shot after one from Posh's top scorer had been blocked.

Both these sides have gone into the Spring with a run of good results but here Rovers' midfield game was too patchy to give their strikers a service.

David Pipe on the right flank went closest to opening up the Posh defence and at least forced a positional change in their defence before winning Rovers first corner on the hour.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides