Nottingham Forest 2-0 Peterborough United: James Garner & Ryan Yates goals beat Posh
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James Garner (left) hit his first goal of the season
James Garner scored and set up another as Nottingham Forest handed Peterborough their 10th away defeat of the season.
The Manchester United loanee turned in Brennan Johnson's cross from close range to break the deadlock 18 minutes from time.
Ryan Yates then converted Garner's corner from close range to make sure of the points.
Siriki Dembele almost put Posh in front early in the second half when his left-foot shot hit the post, but the visitors' goalless run extended to five matches.
Peterborough have picked up just three points on the road in 11 outings and have found the net just once in their last seven league matches.
Philip Zinckernagel looked to set the tone when his 25-yard shot forced Peterborough goalkeeper David Cornell into a diving save in the first minute.
But Forest's Brice Samba was the busier goalkeeper before the break, making saves from former Notts County midfielder Jorge Grant and Dembele, while Forest striker Lewis Grabban put an effort into the side-netting.
Steve Cooper's side responded in the second half, Grabban firing a low strike just wide and Paraguay midfielder Braian Ojeda sending a powerful shot just over the bar.
The hosts cranked up the pressure, but the spectre of a third successive goalless draw began to build until Garner intervened as Forest made it 27 points and one defeat from their past 14 matches.
Steve Cooper's side climb to 13th with their second win in eight matches, while Peterborough remain five points adrift of safety in 22nd.
Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper:
"We didn't play well enough in the first half to win the game; the principles of our game were not quite right. We didn't get on the ball and make enough passes. Out of possession we didn't get at Peterborough.
"There were some tactical tweaks we needed to make and in the second half we were really good.
"We were getting in down the sides and we scored because players were getting in the six-yard box, which is something I challenged the players to do more of this week.
"The second goal was a bit fortunate, but it was a great delivery and the aim is to create chaos through good positioning, good movement and good delivery - that is what happened."
Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson:
"It was the same old story. We played well for large parts. We had two very good chances at 0-0 and we have to take one.
"We were dominant in the first half but when you have those spells, you have to make them count; you have to go ahead - you have to get something from them.
"I keep saying the same things, but I can't change what I see. When we were on top we just had to get ahead and we didn't do that.
"There were 28,000 fans here and they booed them off at half-time. When you see that happen you know you have done your job - in every sense but scoring a goal."