A goal in the 99th minute from substitute Klaidi Lolos earned Bolton Wanderers all three points despite a spirited defensive effort from Posh.
Football can be a cruel game sometimes. Yes, Bolton Wanderers created opportunities in front of goal and Peterborough United were indebted to a fine performance between the sticks by Nicholas Bilokapic, but the effort and commitment to try and obtain a first league clean sheet was evident from the young Posh side and the way the winner was scored will leave a bit of a bad taste in the mouth.
Of course, that feeling is nothing to do with the hosts, manager Darren Ferguson was more disappointed with how long the officials played in the final moments after six minutes of added time was indicated by the fourth official, and then there was a question of how the ball crossed the line after Bilokapic had made two excellent saves including one from the spot, with a hand potentially used.
When all is said and done though, Lolos will be the match-winner and Posh will ruefully look back on the opportunities they created, particularly in the first half.
A cross from Malik Mothersille eluded everyone on six minutes and then moments later Ricky-Jade Jones was presented with a chance following a wayward pass from the hosts, but he fired wide with his left-foot from just inside the box.
Johnston headed wide from a corner kick for the hosts on 11 minutes while Kwame Poku saw a curler gathered by Southwood at the other end.
Bilokapic did well to keep out Toal on 35 minutes and Schon dragged a shot wide following a corner, while Poku smashed over at the other end after good work from Wallin and Mothersille.
On 58 minutes, Bilokapic produced a fine stop with his legs to keep out McAtee and then the keeper kept out Schon.
Randall fired over at the other end following a slick counter-attack from Posh before Bilokapic produced another stop to keep out a low shot from Charles at his near post.
Sheehan saw a free-kick deflect over the top and then Bilokapic timed a tackle to perfection to keep out Charles after a poor header from Wallin.
Six minutes of added time was indicated and in nearly the end of the seventh minute of that added time, the hosts were awarded a penalty as Ryan De Havilland was penalised for grappling with his man. Charles saw his penalty saved by Bilokapic who then kept out the rebound before the ball struck LOLAS and rebounded into the net.
Bolton: Southwood, Santos, Johnston, Sheehan, Adeboyejo (sub Charles 67min), Dacres-Cogley, Toal, Collins, Schon (sub Williams 74min), Matete, McAtee (sub Lolos 74min). Unused subs: Hutchinson, Forrester, Arfield, Sharples-Ahmed.
Posh: Bilokapic, Dornelly (sub Curtis 63min), Wallin, Fernandez, Sparkes, De Havilland, Collins, Poku, Randall (sub O’Brien-Brady 90min), Mothersille, Jones (sub Ihionvien 67min). Unused subs: Steer, Nevett, Hayes, Odoh.
Half-time: Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Peterborough United
Full-time: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Peterborough United
Attendance: 20,022
Referee: Ollie Yates