Peterborough United dug deep to claim an excellent point against Championship-bound Cardiff City

Posh had to concede plenty of territory and possession to a very athletic visiting side, but shrugged off huge blows either side of the interval to come from behind to draw 1-1 in a pulsating contest.

Blow number one was the loss of key defender Tom Lees after a nasty-looking challenge from David Turnbull on the stroke of half-time.

Blow number two arrived three minutes into the second-half when Turnbull’s replacement Alex Robertson scored from a harshly-awarded free-kick, but Posh responded within 60 seconds with a neat finish from Harry Leonard after a fine pass by Kyrell Lisbie.

Lisbie had a great chance to win the game 15 minutes from time when JJ Morgan sent him through with a glorious ball, but a defeat would have been unfair on Cardiff who unleashed 29 shots at goal and yet could only beat an inspired Alex Bass on one occasion.

Posh made three changes to their Good Friday starting line-up with 17 year-old Bolu Shofowoke handed a full debut. Ben Woods and David Okagbue were promoted from the substitutes’ bench with Cian Hayes, Brandon Khela and Peter Kioso moving in the opposite direction.

Another youth team graduate Pat Sykut was back on the bench with Declan Frith departing the squad.

Cardiff City welcomed top scorer Yousef Salech back to their matchday squad for the first time since the end of January.

Cardiff started like a team who had Good Friday off. They looked fresh, fit and alert, but they failed to progress much further than the edge of the Posh penalty area as shots were blocked and too many touches were taken before getting those shots off.

Posh also offered hope on the break through the sheer pace of Shofowoke who made the best chance for himself after speeding past Callum Chambers, but he failed to beat visiting goalkeeper Nathan Trott from a tight angle. The teenager also burst past the same player earlier in the game, but fired badly wide. He might have passed on both occasions.

That sparked the best spell of the game for Posh with Leonard taking two attempts on goal, but it came to a shuddering halt towards the end of the half when Lees was kicked out of the game by Turnbull. Cian Ashford promptly skied Cardiff’s best opportunity of the match.

Earlier Cardiff had queued up to take potshots at the Posh goal – they had 17 in the first-half alone. When they breached a dogged defence Bass made outstanding saves from Ryan Wintle and Rubin Colwill.

Kyrell Lisbie was reasonably prominent in the early stages. He teed up Ben Woods for an 18 yard shot which was blocked.

It looked bleak for Posh when two poor defensive headers in quick succession by David Okagbue gave Robertson his chance to score. Posh had a reasonable argument that the decision to award a free kick in the first place was harsh. Referee Thomas Parsons made some strange decisions throughout.

But the quick reactions of Lisbie to get on the end of a header from substitute Peter KIoso and Leonard’s composure dragged Posh level quickly.

And that’s how it stayed despite both sides showing a commitment to attack, although Posh were restricted to breakaways. Shofowoke sent another fine cross across goal, Lisbie set up substitute Brandon Khela for a shot that was blocked, but most of the action happened at the other end.

Wintle forced another top save and hit a post from distance with the rebound striking Bass and bobbling behind for a corner. Ollie Tanner fizzed a shot wide and crosses came and went, those that weren’t defended well by Kioso and co were poorly directed.

There was also some great defensive work from Woods, James Dornelly and Kioso, before Archie Collins made a tremendous recovery tackle in the final minute.

This was a hard-earned point with a level of performance which should generate more positive results against the weaker opponents to come.

Posh: Alex Bass, Harley Mills (sub Jacob Mendy, 85 mins), Tom Lees (sub Peter KIoso, 45 mins), David Okagbue, James Dornelly, Archie Collins, Ben Woods (sub Brandon Khela, 76 mins), Kyrell Lisbie, Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Bolu Shofowoke (sub Cian Hayes, 76 mins), Harry Leonard (sub David Kamara, 85 mins). .

Unused subs: Bastian Smith, Patryk Sykut.

Cardiff: Nathan Trott, Perry Ng, Will Fish, Calum Chambers (sub Ronan Kpakio, 46 mins), Joel Bagan, Ryan Wintle, David Turnbull (sub Alex Robertson, 46 mins), Rubin Colwill, Ollie Tanner, Cian Ashford, Omari Kellyman (sub Yousef Salech, 69 mins),.

Unused subs: Matthew Turner, Joel Colwill, Chris Willock, Callum Robinson.

Posh goals: Leonard (49 mins).

Cardiff goals: Robertson (48 mins).

Posh cautions: Leonard (foul), Lisbie (foul).

Cardiff cautions: Turnbull (foul), Barry-Murphy (manager, dissent).

Referee: Thomas Parsons 5.

Attendance: 9,335 (1,812 Cardiff)