MATCH REACTION: Evans says Jack Marriott is simply the best after a dramatic finish for Peterborough United at Rotherham

Jack Marriott celebrates his 98th-minute equaliser at for Posh at Rotherham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Marriott scored a 98th-minute equaliser as Posh claimed an unlikely 1-1 draw at the team sitting in fourth place.

Posh have dropped out of the play-off places ahead of Monday’s (April 2) local derby at home to Northampton, but Evans saw this as a good result from a poor performance.

“It’s a great point against a very good side,” Evans said. “Obviously we wanted six points from this weekend because we would then definitely be in the play-off places on Monday.

Posh pair Jack Marriott and Junior Morias after the game at Rotherham. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

“I still believe beating Northampton will get us back into the top six, but we will have to play a bit better than this to stay there.

“The first-half was pretty even with a good scoring chance apiece and we should have had a penalty, but Rotherham were very good in the second half and we were poor.

“But my players have plenty of desire. We want to turn defeats into draws and draws into wins and we will always keep going.

“And it helps when we have Jack Marriott in the side. He is the best striker I have ever worked with and I have worked with some good ones.

Posh manager Steve Evans applauds the Rotherham fans before the 1-1 draw. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

“He almost scored with a great shot 10 minutes from time, but he never gets down and he backs himself to score from the next chance.

“We played our best football in added time which is good, but also worrying. We came alive just in time and I just felt we were going to equalise. Before added time we couldn’t get out of our half as Rotherham were very good and we were very poor.”

Rotherham fans were furious with referee Scott Oldham for playing almost 10 minutes of added time, but Evans claimed the home side only had themselves to blame. Rotherham boss Paul Warne also refused to criticise the referee.

Evans added: “If (Rotherham striker) Michael Smith hadn’t been silly and wasted time we wouldn’t have had the time to equalise.

“They started to panic towards the end when the referee kept playing and we grew stronger. It was a terrific cross from Junior Morias to set up Jack’s goal. It’s always nice when a substitution pays off.

“Rotherham are a very strong side though. This is a tough place to come so I’m delighted with the point.”

Posh centre-back Ryan Tafazolli played 70 minutes after passing a late fitness test. He was taken off as Posh were warned he might get sent off.

Posh on-loan striker Omar Bogle was absent from the matchday squad because of ‘form and fitness’ according to Evans.

Posh are seventh after Plymouth’s 4-0 win over Southend.