Skipper Rory McAllister knows the Blue Toon were not at their best in their defeat to Airdrieonians but insists that gives him hope for the future.
An early Calum Gallagher goal was added to by a penalty from Dale Carrick for the home side, before Scott Brown’s strike right on half-time raised hopes for a Peterhead comeback after the break.
Despite being the better side in the second half the visitors headed home empty-handed, however forward McAllister took heart from his side’s showing against Ian Murray’s Diamonds, who are only behind League 1 leaders Raith Rovers on goal difference.
McAllister said: “We have pushed Airdrie all the way and they are one of the top teams. We should have beaten Raith Rovers a few weeks ago in the Scottish Cup so we are acquitting ourselves well in this league.
“It is really thin margins and we just need to get a break in some games. If we do, then we can look at the top half and a push for the play-offs.”
The Blue Toon got off to the worst possible start and lost a goal after just four minutes when Sean Crichton’s header from a corner was flicked on by Gallagher from close range and, despite Greg Fleming’s best attempts, the ball crept over the line via a post.
Midway through the half Jack Leitch looked to have timed his run perfectly to reach a Paddy Boyle cross but his header flashed over the bar.
Fleming used his legs to block a driven effort from Crichton and, as Peterhead struggled to clear, Kieran Millar lobbed a shot against the bar.
Airdrie doubled their lead three minutes from the break when Carrick put a penalty just out of Fleming’s reach after Jason Brown was judged to be holding Crichton at a corner.
McAllister added: “It was one of those things.
“More often than not they are not given and when they are you have to hope that they balance themselves out.”
Just as the first half was drawing to a close Peterhead got back into things when Scott Brown cracked in a shot from 18 yards that hit the underside of the bar before bouncing back and touching the top of the net.
Referee Lloyd Wilson took an age to decide that the ball had crossed the line before awarding the visitors their lifeline goal.
Airdrie shot-stopper David Hutton prevented Leitch from tapping in an equaliser before substitute Gary Fraser came within inches of levelling with a 30-yard free-kick that whistled just past the post.
A wicked curling effort from McAllister just cleared the bar at the death as Peterhead went unrewarded and the captain added: “My shot was pretty close – less than a yard away – and that kind of summed up our day.”
Manager Jim McInally said: “It was a strange game. Airdrie are very effective at what they do at set-pieces and we looked a bit weak there as we are not the biggest of teams.
“It is the second time this season we have a penalty given against us in situations that happen all the time with hands around players.”