Barry Fry's Posh, starting just one place better that Stockport, were always the more creative in a scrappy game and just about merited their first league victory since November, thanks mainly to superiority on both flanks.
Posh defenders took heed of an early warning from Chris Armstrong who fired over from six yards and moved into the lead on 24 minutes with a well constructed move started by skipper Curtis Woodhouse on the left.
Australian midfielder Jamie McMaster, on loan from Leeds, played his part before veteran Andy Clarke provided the cross for Calum Willock to claim his 10th goal of the season with a shot that went in off the foot of the post.
Armstrong forced Mark Tyler into a finger tip save eight minutes from the break and Stockport hauled themselves level just four minutes into the second half, Danny Jackman giving Tyler no chance with a well placed effort after nipping in on the blind side.
With Stockport in control for the first time, Tyler had to produce another fine save to deny defender Ashley Williams but Posh regained the lead on the hour , this time with pressure coming from the right.
Adam Newton, back in the side after illness, stormed forward to deliver a fine cross to the far post that Richard Logan met and headed past Neil Cutler into the net.
Three points should provide Posh with a platform to launch a bid to climb out of trouble, although manager and owner Fry will be concerned to see support declining with a London Road crowd well below four thousand.