STEVE Brooker came to Bristol City’s rescue for the second

time in three days when grabbing a dramatic late winner at

Ashton Gate.

Given all the trouble they could handle by lively League One

opponents Posh, the Championship side appeared certain to be

taken to extra time in this Carling Cup first round tie.

But just as he did at Blackpool on Saturday, Brooker proved

City's last-gasp hero, nodding in from close range after Louis

Carey had got the first touch to Michael McIndoe's 85th-minute

corner.

It was rough justice for Peterborough, whose manager, Darren

Ferguson, was sent to the stands following a touchline

altercation with referee Paul Taylor.

Posh dominated for long periods and deservedly took the lead

on 17 minutes, George Boyd following up to score after Dean

Keates' shot had been saved.

Out of sorts for long periods, City were indebted to

inspirational captain Louis Carey, who headed a 54th-minute

equaliser to put his side back into contention.

Although City's name will go into the hat for the

second-round draw, the gloss was taken off their victory by a

serious injury to teenage debutant Christian Ribeiro, who was

taken off on a stretcher after 34 minutes.

Ribeiro replaced Bradley Orr at right-back in one of five

changes made by City boss Gary Johnson, but his evening was

ended when he collapsed in a heap inside the penalty area after

27 minutes. He received treatment by medics and was carried off

after a delay of several minutes.

Perhaps the changes explained why City were slow to find

their rhythm, something last season’s League Two runners-up

took full advantage of to forge an early lead.

Charlie Lee and star striker Aaron McLean had already

threatened to break the deadlock when Posh conjured a startling

move to prise open up a back-pedalling defence.

Relying on speed of thought and unerring accuracy,

Peterborough passed their way into the penalty area and Weale

did well to parry Keates' shot, only for the ball to run

to Boyd, who made the net bulge from 10 yards.

It was no more than the underdogs deserved and Weale was

again called into action to gather Craig Mackail-Smith's rising

shot from the egde of the 18-yard box.

After the delay caused by Ribeiro’s injury, City attempted

to raise their game, wingers Ivan Sproule and McIndoe

making  Posh keeper Joe Lewis work for the first time.

City’s record signing Nicky Maynard had been largely

annonymous, but was presented with a half-chance deep into time

added on at the end of the first half. Eager to impress, the

youngster snatched at his shot after being set up by McIndoe

and Peterborough were able to clear the danger.

No doubt subjected to a tongue-lashing during the interval,

City emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and

required just eight minutes to draw level, Carey rising to head

Jamie McAllister’s delivery in at the near post.

Maynard raised hopes of a home victory when driving an

angled shot past Joe Lewis, only for his celebrations to be cut

short by a linesman's flag for offside.

Opportunities were materialising at both ends of the pitch

and Sergio Torres fired wide after City had again been caught

out by a quick counter, while Weale had to be at his best to

gather a firm left-footed drive from the impressive Boyd.

But it was City who conjured the decisive opening, Brooker

meeting McIndoe's corner with a firm header from close range to

register his second goal in as many games.