A goal on 90 minutes from George Boyd earned Peterborough United a deserved point at Ashton Gate as Bristol City were made to pay for a fairly dominant first half display in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Manager Darren Ferguson made three changes to the starting line-up for the clash at Ashton Gate with striker Aaron Mclean handed the captaincy as Russell Martin dropped down to the substitute's bench.

City front man Nicky Maynward squandered the first opportunity of the game on four minutes after he was left all alone on the edge of the six-yard box, but the former Crewe Alexandra man fired over the crossbar.

At the other end, George Boyd blazed wide of the near post after a neat Posh build-up, but on his right-foot, it was always going to be a big ask of the winger to squeeze the ball past the goalkeeper.

Craig Mackail-Smith was then given a perfect opportunity to open the scoring after George Boyd played the ball into his path sending him clear, but he dallied and goalkeeper Dean Gerken made a smothering save.

Danny Rose flashed a shot wide of the target on the quarter hour mark after Boyd picked him out in space as Posh played some neat football in midfield.

On 25 minutes, loanee Danny Rose blasted over the bar when well-placed after Nyatanga could only half clear a low Mclean centre.

Toumani Diagouraga then floated an effort over the bar after deciding to shoot 25-yards from goal after a patient Posh build-up had created space in the midfield area.

Rose then had another go at goal from distance on 28 minutes, it was closer than his previous effort and had more power, but the direction wasn't any better, with Gerken not troubled.

The home side broke the deadlock on the half hour mark as SKUSE was allowed to run from deep, ride two challenges before squeezing the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

Lewis then made a superb stop at the feet of Maynard after referee Mr Hill failed to spot a blatant tug on Zakuani in the build-up.

Craig Morgan glanced a Rose free-kick wide of the target under severe pressure from Lewin Nyatanga on 35 minutes after Williams had been upended by the touchline by Sno.

Maynard tested Lewis from distance after a Williams mistake on 42 minutes as Bristol City continued to threaten. In stoppage time, Rose saw a goal-bound shot blocked as a Williams corner caused panic in the home defence.

Half-time: Bristol City 1-0 Posh

Whelpdale fired over three minutes after the re-start after cutting inside from the left as Ferguson gave his starting XI the chance to improve after the break.

A superb counter attack from the visitors on 59 minutes should have yielded the equaliser as Mclean threaded the ball into the path of Boyd whose delightful first time cross picked out the onrushing Mackail-Smith, whose low effort was matched by a stunning save by Gerken.

Substitute Shaun Batt saw a left-foot shot deflect wide of the target as Posh began to get on top of proceedings at Ashton Gate.

However, when Rose dallied in possession, the ball ran loose to Johnson and his fierce drive was heading for the top corner until Joe Lewis dived to his right to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Jamie Day flashed a cross-shot across the face of the goal on 70 minutes after Boyd stabbed it into the substitutes path before Russell Martin replaced Mackail-Smith.

Day and Morgan both received cautions on 73 minutes following a minor scuffle involving substitute Haynes. Lewis then made a good save at the second attempt following a skidding Sno effort from 25-yards.

Batt was denied by Gerken at his near post moments later after a good flick on by Whelpdale, who was playing in a much more advanced role following the introduction of club captain Martin.

Lewis was grateful to see a Martin clearance go straight at his body following a low centre from Maynard as Haynes was closing in at the back post.

Just as the clock ticked over to 90 minutes, Posh hauled themselves level and it came from absolutely nothing as an inswinging cross from Rose was guided past Gerken with his head by BOYD, who celebrated equaling the club record for consecutive appearances with the unlikeliest of goals.

Final Score: Bristol City 1-1 Posh

Bristol City: Gerken, Orr, Carey, Nyatanga, McAllister, Elliott, Skuse (sub Williams 82min), Johnson, Sno (sub Hartley 88min), Saborio (sub Haynes 71min), Maynard. Subs: McCombe, Clarkson, Sproule, Basso.

Posh: Lewis, Williams (sub Day 61min), Whelpdale, Morgan, Zakuani, Diagouraga, Rose, Rowe (sub Batt 61min), Boyd, Mclean, Mackail-Smith (sub Martin 72min). Unused subs: Frecklington, Keates, McKeown, Pearce.

Attendance: 13,833 (470 Posh fans)