GARY McAllister refused to dwell on the end of his side's glorious six-match winning run.

McAllister was magnanimous in the wake of a first away defeat of the season after hard-working Peterborough proved too hot for the Whites to handle in a high-noon Saturday showdown.

The Leeds chief insisted the best side emerged victorious in front of a near capacity crowd in excess of 13,000 at London Road – and then he immediately switched his attention to an instant return to winning ways.

McAllister's men are away at Rotherham on Wednesday night in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Section second round game.

McAllister said: "The best team won on the day and we didn't deal with Peterborough's intensity.

"But there will be no big knee-jerk reaction because we have been in an excellent run of results and produced good performances as well.

"What is essential is that we bounce back as quickly as we can. The beauty is that we have a game on Wednesday when I will be looking for a response from the guys."

Luciano Becchio posed the biggest danger as Leeds went close in the opening half, but stand-in goalkeeper Casper Ankergren was always kept busy by the hosts at the other end, denying Craig Mackail-Smith twice and Paul Coutts.

Ankergren stepped in after David Lucas suffered a finger injury in the warm-up and was powerless to prevent Posh hitting the front two minutes into the second half.

Home talisman George Boyd turned in from close range after Dominic Green had drilled a deep centre from Russell Martin back across the face of goal, but Leeds were left fuming after Green appeared to handle.

Becchio had an equaliser ruled out for offside nine minutes from time and Posh sealed the points in stoppage time when Mackail-Smith struck his eighth goal of the season after Boyd had diverted another cross from Martin into his path.

Peterborough United: Lewis, Martin, Morgan, Zakuani, Williams; Batt, Hyde, Coutts (Lee 83), Green (Whelpdale 72); Mackail-Smith, Boyd. Unused substitutes: Westwood, Rendell, McKeown.

Leeds United: Ankergren, Richardson, Marques, Telfer, White (Parker 74); Howson (Snodgrass 54), Douglas, Delph (Kilkenny 67); Robinson, Becchio, Beckford. Unused substitutes: Prutton, Hughes.

Referee: L Probert (Gloucestershire).

Man of the match: George Boyd.