Luton Town managed to get their challenge for a play-off spot on track by inflicting on Peterborough their ninth home defeat of the season with a 2-1 win at London Road.
Luton had to dig deep and show defensive character when relegation-threatened Posh finally found some spirit and mounted a determined, but unsuccessful, late bid to salvage a point.
Luton boss Mike Newell admitted some relief at the arrival of the final whistle, he said: "We rode our luck near the end for what was only our third away win of the season, but after a defeat in midweek it was a good result and keeps us in the top six, although we know we have to do better on the road." Paul Hughes released Steven Howard to open the scoring with a memorable 26th minute strike from 20 yards, the Luton marksman leaving Posh's Mark Tyler helpless with a fierce shot that flashed into the net off the underside of the crossbar.
It looked all over for Posh when Luton grabbed a second, Croatian Ahmet Brkovic drifting in completely unmarked to meet a free-kick by Steve Robinson and convert with a well placed 78th minute header.] But, after looking down and out and making nothing of opening created by substitute winger David Farrell, Posh did get back into the hunt with 10 minutes left, Adam Newton getting away on the right to whip through Morten Hyldgaard.
Luton came under fierce pressure in the closing stages and through four minutes of added time with defender Guy Branston, making his Posh debut on loan from Rotherham, twice going agonisingly close with brave headers.
But it was not enough, a situation boss Barry Fry readily acknowledged.
He said: "David Farrell livened things up for us but we should have had two or three goals from situations where we had chances two or three yards out. But I still feel Luton were lucky to go away with all three points, although we simply have to start winning games."