Peterborough United win their 3,000th Football League game in dramatic fashion thanks to Frith's finish

Just as a breathless, end-to-end second-half looked set go unrewarded by a goal up popped Declan Frith to head home a 94th, and final, minute winner. His first goal for the club delivered a first Boxing Day win since 2017 for Posh and a first on this ground since 2015. It was some way to celebrate the 3,000th Posh Football League game.

Posh made one unenforced change to their starting line-up from last weekend’s League One win at Port Vale and it was a predictable one as Peter Kioso replaced James Dornelly at right back after returning from a one-match suspension. Dornelly was among the substitutes. Carl Johnston started as left-back after an impressive cameo from that position as a substitute at Vale Park leaving Posh with four right-footed defenders. Johnston was skipper for the day.

Orient, who have taken over the Posh mantle of the division’s great entertainers judged by their goals for and against record, made two changes from the team that toppled high flying Bradford City last time out.

As is their custom Posh started slowly and gave the ball away unnecessarily. Orent should have scored on three minutes when a simple pass down the left wing left top scorer Dom Ballard free to gallop towards the Posh goal, but his shot hit the post and was scrambled behind for a corner. From that corner a Posh head almost steered the ball into the net.

When Posh settled they looked the better footballing side. Kyrell Lisbie was a handful again and curled one fine shot just wide of a post. Crosses from both flanks offered hope with Matthew Garbett a particular threat with a role that appeared to allow him the freedom to roam.

He forced a decent low save from visiting keeper Tommy Simkin after one charging run. A Harry Leonard header from a Collins cross also forced Simkins into impressive action.

The second-half was still littered with errors, but there was a grit and speed to the game that did credit to League One as both sides went all out for a winner,.

Garbett was at the centre of most good Posh moments. His pass was slightly behind Lisbie after he’d broken clear and a free-kick was deflected straight into the hands of Simkins.

But Orient, who are full of energy and speed, also enjoyed spells of domination. Alex Bass had to react well to keep out a goal-bound Demetri Mitchell cross and the goalkeeper did even better to push aside Ollie O’Neill’s shot. Tom Lees delivered one terrific block to thwart O’Neill and David Okagbue made one outstanding headed clearance of a superb right wing cross.

Okagbue’s moment arrived 60 seconds after he’d been involved in the contest’s most contentious moment. Posh were awarded a penalty 13 minutes from time for handball, but referee Abigail Byrne’s hesitation suggested she was unsure and after a consultation with a assistant she reversed her decision, quite rightly as it turned out Okagbue had done the handling.

Undeterred Posh kept pushing. Leonard shot into the side-netting after Garbett had accepted a superb pass from Kioso and chipped the ball past Simkins. Leonard was immediately withdrawn with many feeling Posh chances of a win went with him.

But no, Posh launched one last attack on the left through substitute Donay O’Brien-Brady and Lisbie. Archie Collins then arrived to deliver a cross which Frith headed home from close range. He was in an offside position, but the ball was headed into his path by a defender so the goal stood to the delight of most of a near 10,000 crowd.

Posh: Alex Bass, Peter Kioso, Carl Johnston, Tom Lees, David Okagbue, Archie Collins, Ben Woods (sub Donay O’Brien-Brady, 67 mins), Matt Garbett, JImmy-Jay Morgan (sub Declan Frith, 57 mins), Kyrell Lisbie, Harry Leonard (sub Gustav Lindgren 85 mins)..

Unused substitutes: James Dornelly, Cian Hayes, Tom O’Connor, VIcente Reyes.

Orient: Tommy Simkin, Jack Simpson, Dan Happe (sub Tom James, 46 mins), Omar Beckles, Michael Craig, Demetri Mitchell (sub Tayo Adaramola, 54 mins), Ollie O’Neill (sub Josh Koroma, 81 mins), Tyreeq Bakinson, Jack Moorhouse, Charlie Wellens (sub Azeem Adulai, 90 mins), Dom Ballard.

Unused substitutes: DIallang Jaiyesimi, Sean Clare, Killian Cahill.

Goal: Posh – Frith (90 + 4 mins).

Cautions: Posh – Collins (foul), Kioso (dissent).

Orient – Mitchell (foul), James (foul), Simpson (foul).

Referee: Abigail Byrne 5.

Attendance: 9,882 (759 Orient).