Never give up – Peterborough United 1-1 Middlesbrough

Peterborough just love to do things the hard way. After again falling behind in the game it was Paul Taylor, the man who never gives up, who rescued a point producing a superb volley nine minutes before the end of time.

These two teams had already met this season back in August when Middlesbrough easily walked away 2-0 winners in the Carling Cup second round. That night Tony Mowbray’s side put in a solid performance prompting Darren Ferguson to make a few tactical changes to his side this time round with George Boyd sitting in a deeper position to prevent Middlesbrough’s five man midfield controlling the game.

The only change to the Posh squad was Tom Kennedy coming in for the injured Mark Little meaning Craig Alcock could start at his preferred right-back position. Despite failing to muster up any chances in the last game Paul Taylor and Lee Tomlin continued to partner up front condemning Emile Sinclair to the bench once again.

The first half of this game is one that will quickly be forgotten by both sides. Very few chances, very little decent football produced. The game just didn’t really get going but it was Middlesbrough who were looking the most confident as the sides went in at half time.

Predictably just nine minutes after the re-start Middlesbrough were ahead courtesy of a powerful header by Matthew Bates from a soft corner given away by Lee Frecklington. From that point it seemed it would be a curious case of déjà vu as the Middlesbrough defence stood strong Posh just couldn’t get through.

The game picked up pace but still the football wasn’t pretty. There were fouls left, right and centre and freekicks galore but Grant McCann was struggling to produce anything magic today. Posh’s best chance of the game came on 79 minutes when Tom Kennedy smashed an effort against the post.

Remarkably Posh were level on 81 minutes when a Lee Tomlin shot ricocheted and fell nicely for Paul Taylor who fired home a superb volley from the outside of his right foot.

This was far from the kind of performance we are used to seeing Posh produce but valuable point keeps Posh in 12th still only three points from the play-offs.