PLAYER VERDICTS: Jack's the lad again, but strong defending also secured this valuable point for Peterborough United

But Posh secured this valuable 1-1 League One draw thanks to a top defensive effort led by centre-backs Ryan Tafazolli and Steven Taylor, and young goalkeeper Conor O’Malley.

Conor O’Malley: Excellent early save to win a one-on-one battle with Anthony Forde and a fine second-half stop to thwart a Michael Smith header for 2-0. Handled well throughout, kicked indifferently, but very promising 7.5

Liam Shephard: He played well in the first-half against two tricky opponents, but his game fell apart somewhat after the break when his passing became ragged. Competitive throughout 6

Andrew Hughes: Rock solid as usual including a 20-minute shift as a centre-back at the end of the game. Didn’t have the opportunity to get forward much, but he stood up defensively against strong opponents 7

Steven Taylor: Superb performance which included a pretty neat pass to help create the late Posh goal. Outstanding defence throughout regularly spotting danger and snuffing it out 8.5

Ryan Tafazolli: Excellent display considering he can’t be fully fit. Made a couple of vital interventions in the first-half when aerially dominant. Tired and substituted towards the end after he was fortunate to escape a second yellow card 8

Anthony Grant: A strong shift from the defensive midfielder, but he struggled with his passing in a contest played at a cracking pace 5.5

Chris Forrester: He’s certainly looking to play the ball much quicker under this manager. A couple of splendid long, crossfield passes. but not on the ball enough to make the required attacking impact 5.5

Marcus Maddison: One glorious pass set up Marriott’s first-half chance, but he drifted out of the game completely after the break. His set-pieces were decent, but he needs to step up his general play 5

Danny Lloyd: A poor touch spoilt his one chance to get a shot away on goal towards the end of the first-half. He was as industrious as ever, but he rarely linked up successfully with his attacking team-mates and substituted early in the second-half 5

George Cooper: He probably has the skills, the technique and the vision to play as a ‘number 10,’ but he struggled to get into this game as the ball kept flying over his head. A couple of neat moments led to goal-scoring chances in the first-half, but quiet overall and left the game five minutes into the second-half 5

Jack Marriott: What a season for the hard-working striker who can’t stop scoring. The only Posh forward player to have any impact on the game. A good first-half chance saved, denied a possible penalty, forced a great, late save, before scoring in the 98th minute 7.5

Substitutes

Junior Morias: (for Cooper, 51 mins) Not much involvement until setting up Marriott’s goal 5

Joe Ward: (for Lloyd, 56 mins) Hardly in the game until the latter stages 5

Lewis Freestone: (for Tafazolli, 70 mins).

Michael Doughty: (not used).

Jonathan Bond: (not used).

Leo Da Silva Lopes: (not used).

Jermaine Anderson: (not used).