Peterborough could be hard pressed to survive in Division Two after a late goal by Bournemouth skipper Carl Fletcher plunged them deeper into relegation trouble.
Central defender Fletcher was allowed a free header as James Hayter's 81st minute corner arrived and a sixth away victory of the season was no more than well-organised Bournemouth deserved.
Disappointed Posh boss Barry Fry commented: "We had chances but didn't take them and have let ourselves down badly at home all season. This was a golden opportunity for three points but all we have done is put pressure on ourselves.
"I don't think things will be resolved until the last match of the season and we have to remain positive even though we seem to have hit a crop of injuries at the wrong time." Bournemouth had Posh chasing shadows as they pushed the ball around and kept possession, all this after an enforced re-organisation when Warren Feeney was stretchered off with a leg injury after barely four minutes.
Posh did create openings early on but failed to take them, only David Farrell seriously troubling goalkeeper Neil Moss, while Calum Willock and Clive Platt misfired badly.
The closest Fry's men came to a goal was in the 64th minute with Scotsman Steve Thomson rattling the crossbar.
Bournemouth's confidence soared and the corner that paved the way to Fletcher's decider came when an angled effort from Danny Purches was deflected behind. Then, deep into injury time, only a smart save by Mark Tyler prevented Hayter from doubling Bournemouth's advantage.
The Bournemouth showing pleased manager Sean O'Driscoll, who said: "We had our game plan and carried it out perfectly, capping it off by scoring a good goal. In these conditions it is far easier to keep the ball than chase it which is what we made Peterborough do."