Half-time: Cheltenham 0 Peterborough 1

George Boyd's third-minute strike gave Peterborough United the lead at half-time at Whaddon Road.

Down to the bare bones, manager Martin Allen brought Josh Low in from the cold for his first League start in two months for Cheltenham Town.

Centre-backs Gavin Caines, Drissa Diallo and Shane Duff were among the sick and injured, so Alan Wright was the surprise partner for Darren Kenton – and at five feet four inches, he must have been one of the smallest centre-backs in history.

But Boyd gave a warning of his danger in the opening minute, forcing Brown into a save, then he broke the deadlock.

Craig Mackail-Smith squared the ball into his path, and his shot looped off Andy Gallinagh's foot over Scott Brown into the net.

But to their credit Cheltenham fought back well and a long Lee Ridley throw was dropped by Joe Lewis and Ashley Vincent stabbed the ball goalwards, but Chris Morgan cleared it off the line.

Mackail-Smith had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside after 11 minutes, but at the other end Alex Russell fashioned another chance for Vincent but he turned and shot wide.

Cheltenham with Low, Russell and Ian Westlake in combative form, were keeping the game even but Brown had to save well from Mackail-Smith on the half-hour.

For Cheltenham, Westlake fired a free-kick over and sent a low 25-yarder at Lewis, then Westlake fed Ridley down the left and his cross was diverted goalwards by Elvis Hammond, but Lewis saved.

Cheltenham Town (4-3-3): Brown; Gallinagh, Kenton, Wright, Ridley; Low, Russell, Westlake; Hammond, Hayles, Vincent. Subs: Puddy, Lindegaard, Hayes, Connor, Owusu.

Peterborough United (4-4-2): Lewis; Martin, Morgan, Lee, Williams; Whelpdale, Coutts, Keates, Boyd; McLean, Mackail-Smith. Subs: Westwood, Batt, Green, Crofts, Blanchett.