CHRIS Forrester’s goal in the first minute of the second half was enough to condemn Swindon Town to a narrow loss at the County Ground this afternoon.

After an encouraging first-half performance, albeit without creating a real clear-cut opening, Town were caught napping immediately after the restart as Posh skipper Forrester pounced on some slack defending to power a low drive into the net from the right-hand side of the box.

The defeat saw Town surrender their unbeaten start to 2017, as well as five-match home run in League One without defeat, and they are now just three points above the relegation zone.

Town were grateful to goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux for preventing them from falling behind after only five minutes, with the Chilean getting down brilliantly to push Ryan Tafazolli's header around the post following a Marcus Maddison free-kick.

That proved to be the best chance of the first half, although there was no shortage of action and Town had their first sight of goal on 13 minutes when Yaser Kasim skipped into the box and opened his body to shoot but Michael Bostwick got in a crucial block.

The home side had a real zip about them in attack and threatened again when skipper Nathan Thompson sent in a low cross from the right but Islam Feruz could not get a clean connection on his shot.

Swindon still had to be wary at the back and an excellent pass over the top from Dominic Ball found Tom Nichols, who had split Thompson and Rapahel Branco, but he cracked an effort over the top.

Ben Gladwin continued where he left off against Bolton Wanderers last week and launched another Town attack with a superb ball to John Goddard, who in turn found Luke Norris in the box, but Tafazolli got in a superb last-ditch block.

The home fans had their hearts in their mouths from the ensuing corner as the Posh countered at pace and Thompson was left with no choice but to bundle over Lee Angol and collect a booking as he looked to race in on goal.

From Maddison’s resulting free-kick, Angol flicked a cheeky back-heel at the ball, which flew narrowly over the top.

The action continued to flow from end to end and a deep Charlie Colkett cross fell to Thompson on the right of the Peterborough box and although his shot was blocked, it dropped perfectly to Gladwin, who saw a shot denied by the diving Ball, who flung himself in the way.

The visitors were incensed soon afterwards when Maddison was left in a heap on halfway but referee Trevor Kettle allowed play to continue and goalkeeper Luke McGee was forced to push a Feruz strike around the post.

The final chance of a breathless first 45 minutes fell the way of the visitors when Andrew Hughes found Nichols in space in the six-yard box but he could only divert the ball over the top as the teams headed to the changing rooms all-square.

After impressing in the first half, Town were caught cold within a minute of the restart as United got their noses in front. Maddisonn swung the ball from left to right and Posh skipper Forrester turned Lloyd Jones before unleashing a low effort that Vigouroux got a hand to but could not keep out.

Town were the first to make a change and Jermaine Hylton replaced Feruz just before the hour mark, with the forward almost making an instant impact. A short corner eventually came his way in the box but Hylton could not quite get the ball under control and McGee darted from his line to claim.

Peterborough should have had a second goal soon afterwards but spurned a gilt-edged chance when Goddard felled Bostwick 30 yards out. Tafazolli found space in the six-yard box to meet Maddison’s delivery with a free header but inexcusably sent it straight at Vigouroux.

Town were not going to go down without a fight a Goddard drilled a low ball across the box and Colkett collected to smash goalwards but again there was a body in the way.

Swindon were then almost caught out as they flooded forwards in numbers, with the visitors countering at pace as Maddison darted into the box but Rapahel Branco did just enough to put him off his strike.

Substitute Jordan Stewart looked to make an instant impression for Town after coming on in the closing stages and he whipped in an excellent low cross from the left but McGee dived at the feet of Hylton to keep the hosts at bay.

That proved to be the last chance for Town and they continue to look over their shoulder in worried fashion just above the relegation zone.

SWINDON TOWN: Vigouroux; Thompson (capt) (Brophy 79), Branco, Jones, Dabo; Colkett, Kasim, Gladwin, Goddard (Stewart 78); Norris, Feruz (Hylton 57). Subs not used: Henry, Thomas, Rodgers, Murray.

PETERBOROUGH UNITED: McGee; Smith, Bostwick, Tafazolli, Hughes; Edwards (Lopes 71), Forrester (capt), Maddison (Samuelsen 87), Ball; Angol, Nichols (Taylor 73). Subs not used: Tyler, Inman, Binnom-Williams, Morias.

Referee: Trevor Kettle

Attendance: 6,514