Dean Keates' winner took Peterborough a step closer to promotion.

The midfielder rose to head home Scott Rendell's 71st-minute assist after Rendell and Aaron Mclean had earlier missed chances to put Posh ahead.

Struggling Chester might have pinched a point with a late attack had Craig Morgan not thwarted John Murphy with a splendid last-ditch tackle.

Chester's Tony Dinning was sent off two minutes from time for a second bookable offence after he clashed with Keates.

Peterborough: Lewis, Gnakpa, Westwood, Morgan, Day, Whelpdale, Lee, Keates, Boyd, Mclean, Rendell.
Subs Not Used: McKeown, Low, Newton, Hyde, Williams.

Goals: Keates 71.

Chester: Danby, Roberts, Kelly, Linwood, Wilson, Partridge (Mitchell 90), Hughes, Rule (Sandwith 78), Dinning, Rutherford (McManus 70), Murphy.
Subs Not Used: Palethorpe, Vaughan.

Sent Off: Dinning (88).

Booked: Dinning, Rule.

Att: 6,457

Ref: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire).