Supersub Masara off the mark to rescue a precious point for Peterborough United at Bromley

Posh looked to have run out of ideas despite dominating the ball against limited opponents when a long 93rd minute pass forward was expertly chested down by Owura Edwards. He fed onrushing substitute Masara who took the ball past home goalkeeper Grant Smith before driving the ball into the net.

The goal prompted a delirious reaction from the Posh players and fans who must have despaired at a failure to break down the worst defence in the division.

When the joy of a second last-gasp equaliser in the Robbie Savage era dies down there will be concerns to address for the manager, particularly muffing an abundance of great crossing positions. but also stuff to admire, most notably a refusal to give in.

Posh made three changes to the team that lost at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night. Centre-back Tom O’Connor returned to action after a six-week break, while Ethan Williams and Harry Ashfield were back after one game absences with Josh Feeney, Brandon Khela and Masara the players to drop out. Feeney was rested from the matchday squad, while Masara and Khela were on a substitutes’ bench that didn’t include Matt Garbett, but did feature James Dornelly.

Former Posh defender Jacob Mendy was not in the Bromley squad, but ex-London Road midfielder Ben Thompson was on the substitutes’ bench.

The hosts lined up with two up top and they used a strong wind to their advantage to pen Posh back in the opening 15 minutes. They needed just 10 minutes to take the lead when a cross from a free kick was headed by Harry Leonard against a home player with the rebound falling kindly for Michael Cheek who finished easily for his first League One goal of the season.

It was almost two four minutes later when Will Hondermarck raced away from Liam Kelly only for Alex Bass to save well at his near post. Bromley disappeared as an attacking force after that apart from a huge punt forward which Lucca Mendonca glanced backwards with a big bounce almost defeating Bass.

Posh did settle and they dominated the final 30 minutes of the half with some quick passing and good movement. Williams was a constant threat in the ‘10’ role and he kept a steady supply going to the wide men, although a quality cross rarely followed.

Leonard missed a sitter with his head from Kelly’s cross on 32 minutes and Williams forced a decent save from home ‘keeper Smith before the break.

The second half started in the same fashion with a Leonard shot deflected wide by a defender before Shofowoke sent the ball high and wide without any help at all.

A deep Mills cross was then headed back across goal by Mendonca, only for Grant to reach the ball before Leonard.

That was on the hour mark, but Posh relied on a succession of corners and set-pieces to create any pressure and the home side enjoyed some good moments of their own, with Mendonca twice coming to the rescue with outstanding last-ditch interventions.

Savage was bold with his substitutions again – Edwards was at right-back when he set the equaliser up – but once Masara and Leonard saw shots blocked by brave defenders it looked like a demoralising defeat was a certainty.

Thankfully Masara had other ideas.

Posh: Alex Bass, Carl Johnston (sub Vernon Masara, 70 mins), Lucca Mendonca, Tom O’Connor, Harley Mills, Liam Kelly (sub Brandon Khela, 70 mins), Harry Ashfield, Bolu Shofowoke (sub Danny Ormerod, 80 mins), Ethan Williams, Owura Edwards (sub James Dornelly, 90 + 4 mins), Harry Leonard

Unused subs: Collin Andeng-Ndi, Harrison Jones, Declan Frith.

Bromley: Grant Smith, George Saville, Mitch Pinnock, Marcus Ifill, Will Hondermarck (sub JJ McKieinan, 79 mins)., Kamari Grant, Kamil Conteh, Adam Jackson, Michael Cheek (Mikel Miler, 79 mins), Jodi Jones (sub Corey Whiteley, 72 mins), Victor Adeboyejo (sub Nicke Kabamba, 69 mins).

Unused subs: Owen Mason, Richard Taylor, Ben Thompson.

Posh goals: Masara (90 + 3 mins).

Bromley goals: Cheek (10 mins).

Posh cautions: None.

Bromley caution: Grant (foul).

Referee: Ed Duckworth 6

Attendance: (to follow).