A stunning late equaliser from Paul Taylor denied Middlesbrough three points against Peterborough as the sides drew 1-1 at London Road.

The result means Boro are now unbeaten in four, but manager Tony Mowbray will be disappointed his side didn’t claim maximum points after Matthew Bates’ header had given the visitors the lead early in the second half.

The Teessiders had dominated proceedings and enjoyed several opportunities, but they were punished for not taking them when Taylor’s first-time volley flew in past Jason Steele in the 81st minute.

As they have done on the road this season, Boro settled early at London Road and were quick to take control of proceedings.

Their first chance came through an unlikely source when Matthew Bates charged forward and chipped a delightful cross into the box, but fortunately for the hosts, the ball dropped between Emnes and McDonald.

It was positive stuff from Mowbray’s men and they should have taken the lead just after the quarter-hour mark.

Joe Bennett collected the ball in a central position and advanced forward before playing in McDonald with a superb diagonal pass, but as the Australian attempted to take the ball round Paul Jones, his touch was heavy and the chance was wasted.

It was very much one-way traffic at London Road with Boro having a succession of decent chances before the break.

Tony McMahon lashed a long-range free-kick inches wide of Paul Jones’ post, while McDonald headed over from a Robson cross, before the Scottish midfielder saw his low drive from outside the area go wide.

As expected Darren Ferguson’s side came out from the interval more positive, but Boro continued to keep their hosts at bay. Stephen McManus made a crucial interception after some good work from George Boyd, but that was after McMahon’s ball had flashed across Peterborough’s goal line.

The breakthrough did come in the 57th minute and the visitors thoroughly deserved it. McMahon swinging in a dangerous corner that was met by skipper Bates with his bullet header flying past Jones.

The visitors almost replied soon after, though, but Jason Steele was on hand to save from Boyd’s low shot and keep Boro’s lead intact.

Mowbray’s men searched for a second as they looked to kill Posh off and they could have done so when Emnes saw his low shot whistle inches past the post – Faris Haroun doing the same moments later.

The hosts had a brilliant chance to draw level when Tom Kennedy got the better of McMahon down the left and unleashed a powerful strike, but his effort smashed off Steele’s near post.

Given the chances Boro had missed in the first half, the more their advantage stayed at one goal, the more likely the hosts looked like stealing a goal and in the 81st minute that moment came.

A failed clearance from Boro fell for Paul Taylor with the striker hitting a fantastic first-time strike with the outside of his foot that sailed past Steele.