The Blue Toon came out of cold storage to play just their second match of 2010, but showed no rustiness as they blew aside league leaders Cowdenbeath to bring themselves back into playoff contention.
Neale Cooper stuck with the same starting eleve
n that had beaten Arbroath 4-1 a fortnight ago, meaning the returning Graeme Sharp and new loan signing Paul Emslie had to be content with a place on the bench.
Having lost to Cowdenbeath three times previously this season, including a 5-0 defeat on their last visit to Central Park, the Blue Toon had plenty of motivation to put on a good show, but it was the hosts who were quicker out of the traps.
Mark Ramsay had already fired a shot wide of the target when, after 14 minutes, he drilled in a low left-footed shot from the edge of the area, Paul Jarvie saving well low to his left.
A minute later, Bobby Mann took a knock as he threw himself at Barry Wilson's corner, but after treatment the former Caley Thistle man was able to continue.
The Toon were to take the lead midway through the half. Neil McVitie's lofted pass from the half-way line allowed Martin Bavidge to outmuscle John Armstong, before sliding a left-footed effort beyond David Hay from the corner of the six-yard box.
Running man: The Blue Toon's Martin Bavidge evades a challenge
Bavidge came close to doubling his tally on the half-hour when Ryan Strachan's cross from the left was flicked on by Nicky Clark, the striker heading narrowly over from eight yards.
The lively Ramsay was the biggest threat for the hosts, and he rifled another 20-yard striker past the upright as he attempted to pull his team level. At the other end, Wilson had similar limited success from slightly further out.
However, Peterhead extended their lead after 64 minutes.
A poor clearance was returned with interest, allowing Bavidge to break the offside trap, lift the ball over the advancing Hay, and nod the ball into the empty net.
The Blue Brazil were never out of it though, and Jarvie had to be on top form to push a curling Ramsay effort round the post, high to the keeper's left.
And they pulled a goal back in 74 minutes, substitute Jay Stein driving a low shot across Jarvie and in off the far post from a tight angle after Peterhead had failed to clear their lines.
That set up a nervy closing period, although Peterhead could have restored their advantage just three minutes later when Dave Ross combined with substitute Sharp to run at an exposed Cowden defence, but when Sharp played in Wilson, the veteran dragged his effort wide.
As the Toon nerves began to show, Jarvie saved well from Paul McQuade twice in the space of two minutes, the striker firing in similar efforts after mistakes by Jonathan Crawford and then Wilson.
But the icing was put on the cake in the final minute. Sharp's run was brought to an end illegally 20-yards from goal. Wilson stepped up and curled a delightful strike into the net, Hay rendered motionless by the quality of the effort.
The Toon now lie just four points behind fourth-placed Brechin City, who are the visitors to Balmoor on Saturday.
Cowdenbeath: Hay, Armstrong, Baxter, Droudge (Winter 50), Adamson (Stein 63), Ramsay, McGregor, Robinson, Linton, Wardlaw (Fairbairn 67), McQuade. Subs Not Used: Wilson, Ferguson.
Peterhead: Jarvie, Donald, Mann, Crawford, Stuart Smith, Barry Wilson, McVitie, Ross, Strachan (Emslie 62), Clark (Sharp 76), Bavidge (Bowden 90). Subs Not Used: Keiran Wilson, Bruce.
Attendance 298
