it wasn't pretty, but the Peterborough United goal machine was on the mark again to seal victory

Another goal from ace marksman Harry Leonard – his fourth in three games – seven minutes from time delivered a third straight League One win and the giddy heights of 16th.

Leonard struck with a left-foot bobbler from probably the hardest chance of the many he had in the game after excellent play from substitute Gustav Lindgren and flying winger Kyrell Lisbie.

How it had remained 0-0 until that point was a mystery. Vale missed a sitter at the start of the match and both teams went on to fluff chances, but Posh can take credit for a battling and patient performance rather than one packed with quality. Keeping a clean sheet with a much-changed defence was also worthy of praise.

Posh were forced into two back four changes as first-choice full-backs Peter Kioso and Harley Mills were replaced by James Dornelly and Jacob Mendy. Kioso was suspended, while Friday afternoon internet rumours re Mills and an injury turned out to be true.

Wrexham loanee Mendy hadn’t played since October 4 after picking up a groin injury so his return appeared to be well timed, but essentially Posh went into this game with three of their first-choice back four missing. Winger Cian Hayes was also back in the matchday squad after a lengthy injury absence. Tom Lees skippered the side in Kioso’s absence.

Vale also had key absentees in midfielders Funso Ojo and George Byers, but that didn’t stop them bossing the opening stages, and they should have opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Mendy struggled against two lively right-sided players and one of them, Mitch Clark, delivered a perfect cross that Ben Waine somehow headed wide from close range.

Ruari Paton then forced a save from Alex Bass before Posh settled into their passing game and they instantly looked a threat. A clever corner routine which involved Archie Collins of all people heading back across goal was just about defended and then Collins just failed to pick out the unmarked Kyrell Lisbie when Posh broke well.

Bass had to react smartly to thwart Devante Cole at close range after another right wing cross and early substitute Jesse Debrah headed a corner over from close as chances at both ends started to arrive.

Leonard had the best two for Posh. Hitting a weak shot straight at one-time Posh loanee goalkeeper Ben Amos. Collins then freed Leonard who was denied by a fine Amos save.

Lees did well to block a Ryan Croasdale shot and then Lisbie burst clear onto a Collins pass, but shot wildly wide with his left foot.

Both teams were forced into first-half substitutions with Vale missing skipper and centre-back Connor Hall more than Posh missed Mendy as Carl Johnston was outstanding both defending and attacking.

Posh also started the second-half slowly, but Vale were now struggling to create. Leonard shot wide on the turn and then failed to force the ball past Amos after a neat pass from Jimmy-Jay Morgan.

But the players stayed patient, made effective substitutions and the willing running of Lindgren was a massive boost in the final stages. He eventually saw a 50-yard crossfield pass to Lisbie who teed up Leonard for his goal.

Seven minutes of added time came and went with no alarms before the latest Posh surge up the table was confirmed.

Posh: Alex Bass, Jacob Mendy (sub Carl Johnston, 41 mins), David Okagbue, Tom Lees (sub Tom O’Connor, 71 mins), James Dornelly, Ben Woods, Archie Collins, Kyrell Lisbie, Matt Garbett (sub Gustav Lindgren, 71 mins), Jimmy-Jay Morgan (sub Cian Hayes, 61 mins), Harry Leonard

Unused subs: Vicente Reyes, Declan Frith, Donay O’Brien-Brady

Port Vale: Ben Amos, Mitch Clark (sub Mo Faal, 79 mins), Jaheim Headley, Ben Heneghan, Connor Hall (sub Jesse Debrah, 19 mins), Rhys Walters, Ruari Paton, Ryan Croasdale, Ben Waine (sub Ronan Curtis 61 mins), George Hell, Devante Cole.

Unused subs: Joe Gauci, Jayden Stockley, Jordan Shipley, Ben Lomax.

GOAL: Posh – Leonard (83 mins).

CAUTIONS: Posh – Morgan (foul), Leonard (delaying the restart).

Vale – Headley (foul), Heneghan (foul).

REFEREE: Kirsty Dowle 7.

ATTENDANCE: 7,533 (702 Posh).