Peterborough United 0-1 Bristol City
Adam Baker reports from London Road

David Clarkson grabbed the only goal to give City victory on the road at bottom club Peterborough United.

The substitute popped up at the near post on 71 minutes to convert Paul Hartley's corner kick for a deserved three points for the visitors.

Peterborough were on the back foot for much of the game but did manage to hit the crossbar in a prosperous five-minute spell.

Caretaker boss Keith Millen - now with seven points from a possible nine in charge -
kept faith with the same eleven players that started the 5-3 win over Barnsley in the week, meaning new loan recruit Gary Sawyer began his City stint on the bench.

Danny Haynes fires goalwards in a one-sided first half

Against a nervous Peterborough defence that shipped four goals against Scunthorpe in the week, City enjoyed a first half dominance in terms of chances and possession.

Their best chance of the opening period came after just six minutes when Hartley picked out Bradley Orr on the edge of the box. With the ball skipping up kindly, Orr took the opportunity to shoot immediately and his dipping effort produced a fine one-handed save from Joe Lewis.

Lewis needed to earn his money and kept out long-range efforts from Nicky Maynard, Liam Fontaine and Danny Haynes as the half wore on.

Orr had another chance six minutes before half-time after receiving a near pass from Maynard on the edge of the box. The right wing-back tried to find the corner with a placed shot but the ball whipped wide of the upright.

Nicky Maynard skips away from Posh's Scott Griffiths

Peterborough spent much of the half losing out to 50/50 tackles in midfield as well as trying and failing to play the ball out from the back.

Just before the break Maynard almost pounced on one of many poor backpasses from Exodus Geohaghon, only for Lewis to recover the situation for the home side.

City continued on the front foot after the interval with Maynard teeing up Cole Skuse on the edge of the box and his curling shot flashed wide.

After an hour of producing nothing, Peterborough carved out two good chances in quick succession.

First substitute Reuben Reid sent fellow replacement Kerrea Gilbert clear down the right-hand side. A direct cross right along the six-yard box almost found the sliding body of Craig Mackail-Smith but he couldn't convert from close range.

Seconds later a corner flung into the box dropped to an unmarked Geohaghon, but Dean Gerken came rushing out to save smartly with his body.

Paul Hartley celebrates his part in the match-winning goal

After Haynes had limped off to be replaced by Clarkson, Peterborough went closer still. A cross from the left by Mackail-Smith was tipped on to the crossbar by a worried Gerken, before the ball dropped to safety.

City responded in the best possible fashion, and on 71 minutes finally took the lead. Hartley's inswinging corner kick to near the post found Clarkson for a simple headed finish.

Clarkson almost had a second soon after when Christian Ribeiro broke clear down the right flank and clipped a cross towards the penalty spot. Clarkson was waiting but couldn't get over his header and the ball dropped over the top.

There was still time for late drama when Lee Frecklington was found in space inside the penalty area but the superb Fontaine was on hand to head his shot off the goal-line.