LIVE: Full-time: Peterborough United 0, Cheltenham Town 1: Posh beaten by League Two opponents

A fine 22-yard finish from visiting midfielder Liam Sercombe settled a competitive contest. Teenage goalkeeper Josh Griffiths ensured Cheltenham preserved their lead with a couple of terrific saves from Siriki Dembele, one from a 20 yard free kick and another from a swerving, dipping drive from 25 yards.

It’s not a defeat that will cause Posh too many concerns. Manager Darren Ferguson’s response to the goal was to make three substitutions with what looked a like a pre-planned move rather than a reaction to falling behind.

Posh had started the second half brightly with Dembele wriggling around several players before shooting straight at Griffiths and Eisa forcing a fingertip save from Griffiths after Ryan Broom had played him through.

And straight after the goal Dembele and Eisa combined with the latter curling a shot from an acute angle which struck the crossbar.

Cheltenham almost opened the scoring a few minutes earlier when Andy Williams broke clear, but Pym stuck a foot out to save.

Posh won numerous set-pieces, but all were well defended by well-organised opponents.

The sides cancelled each other out in the first half.

Both teams enjoyed plenty of possession in good areas, but failed to create worthwhile opportunities.

Indeed the best chances of the half - one for each side - followed defensive errors.

Griffiths kicked the ball straight to ball to Broom on the edge of the area in the ninth minute, but redeemed himself with a fine save from the former Cheltenham midfielder’s shot.

And four minutes later it was Posh number one Pym’s chance to shine after Frankie Kent’s misplaced backpass sent Alfie May scurrying through on goal. Pym made the save with an outstretched foot.

Posh started slowly before growing into the game. They won a few corners which came to nothing while Joe Ward and Dembele sent long range pot shots wide of goal.

Dembele’s shot at goal followed the best Posh passing move of the afternoon and he would have been better served passing to a well-placed Mo Eisa.

Jack Taylor’s 20-yard shot was then tipped over the bar by Griffiths.

Disappointingly Cheltenham saw out the final 15 minutes very comfortably.

Posh: Christy Pym, Nathan Thompson, Mark Beevers, Frankie Kent, Joe Ward (sub Idris Kanu, 60 mins), Dan Butler, Reece Brown (sub Ethan Hamilton, 60 mins), Jack Taylor, Ryan Broom (sub Flynn Clarke, 60 mins), Siriki Dembele, Mo Eisa.

Unused substitutes: Dan Gyollai, Jonson Clarke-Harris, Harrison Burrows, Niall Mason, Flynn Clarke.

Cheltenham: Josh Griffiths, Charlie Raglan, Ben Tozer, Lewis Freestone (sub Will Boyle, 66 mins), Conor Thomas, Liam Sercombe (sub George Lloyd, 89 mins), Finn Azaz, Chris Clements, Chris Hussey, Andy Williams, Alfie May (sub Alex addai 83 mins). Substitutes: Max Harris, Reuben Reid, Will Boyle, Grant Horton, Tom Chamberlain.

Goals: Cheltenham - Sercombe (59 mins).

Cautions: Posh - Thompson (foul).

Cheltenham - Thomas (foul).

Referee: Alan Young 6.