IN a contest that most people ahead of kick-off had tipped to feature plenty of goals, Sean McConville’s solitary strike was ultimately all that was required for Accrington Stanley to dispatch high-flying Peterborough and move up to fourth in League One.

Twenty three goals had been shared between the Posh and the Reds in their previous four league meetings, 10 of those coming the last time manager John Coleman took his side to London Road, with Stanley on the wrong end of an 8-2 scoreline in January 2008.

Steve Evans’ side are the top scorers in League One this season, automatic promotion candidates sitting second in the table, and they started the game strongly as they searched for their first home win since August.

But Stanley stood firm, defending as a unit, still the plucky underdogs in the eyes of some in the crowd despite having been beaten just once in their last 12 league outings, and for all their effort the hosts had little to show in the way of chances.

The Reds have been no slouches in front of goal themselves, scoring seven in their previous two matches, and they took the lead in the 11th minute.

Sam Finley received the ball in midfield and made a surging run to the edge of the area before looping a delightful ball across the penalty area to Offrande Zanzala at the back post.

The striker could have had his fourth goal in three games had it not been for defender Rhys Bennett’s blatant handball redirecting his header in the six-yard box. The incident appeared to go unnoticed by referee Scott Duncan, not that the advancing McConville cared too much in the end.

The winger charged into the penalty area from the left to latch on to the loose ball, created space to shoot before calmly slotting home his sixth goal of the season.

Stanley continued to press, even with the advantage, and will have been frustrated not to have increased their lead when two minutes later Jordan Clark connected with a teasing Nick Anderton cross, only to see the ball stopped by the frame of former Stanley goalkeeper Aaron Chapman.

League One’s top goalscorer Matt Godden came closest to restoring parity for the hosts shortly afterwards, his dipping shot from the edge of the area coming back off the bar.

Both sides were limited to half chances in a hard-fought contest as the first period ended but neither goalkeeper was severely tested, as was the case for much of the second half.

Dan Barlaser glanced the woodwork with a deflected shot before Finley got forward again, but McConville could not connect with his low ball.

Stanley were forced backwards as the hosts hunted for way back into the match, but they defended with confidence, dealing with everything Peterborough threw at them.

When the Posh did create chances they rarely troubled Jonny Maxted, Jason Cummings heading wide at the back post, before later shaving the top of the crossbar with a curling effort.

Godden then missed the target again six minutes from time, as Stanley held on to make it 29 games without defeat after taking the lead.