IN front of the Sky TV cameras, it was typically Cherries that provided the dramatic finale as their unforgettable League One campaign continued.

Having given as good as they got for much of an absorbing third tier clash, the Dean Court outfit left it late to keep their promotion push on track.

Adam Smith was the hero after lashing home from 20 yards in the second minute of stoppage time to ensure Cherries headed back to Dorset with a point to show for their efforts.

Having trailed to a quickfire double from Craig Mackail-Smith and Tommy Rowe, Lee Bradbury’s men looked set for a long and difficult evening at goal hungry Peterborough.

But while Posh have shown themselves to be undoubtedly dangerous going forward, they have also given the opposition hope at the other end this term. And that proved to be the case last night.

Cherries pulled a goal back through Danny Ings after home keeper Joe Lewis failed to collect a corner. And although Mackail-Smith struck a second, Cherries were never out of the game.

Inspired by substitute Steve Fletcher, who gave them hope with a 71st-minute header, they earned a hard-fought draw thanks to Smith’s last-gasp strike.

On what turned out to be a good evening for Bradbury, striker Steve Lovell also made his first senior appearance of the campaign.

Loan man Donal McDermott was handed his full debut, goalkeeper Shwan Jalal returned to face his former club and Ings was selected to play up front on his own as the Dean Court outfit attempted to halt a run of four games without a win.

Posh included the league’s leading marksman Mackail-Smith. And it took the Scotland international just 12 minutes to demonstrate why he is valued at £3million. Charlie Lee spread play with a cross-field pass, Mackail-Smith took the ball past Smith with his first touch and fired low past Jalal, via a deflection, with a clinical second.

It was harsh on Cherries, who had made a reasonable start. But things took another turn for the worse as free-scoring Posh upped the tempo and increased their advantage.

Rowe, breaking from midfield with an impressive burst of pace, brushed past Smith and fired home a left-footed drive, which Jalal got a touch on but could not prevent nestling in the top corner.

Despite Peterborough’s two-goal lead – and their slick attacking play – Cherries were not without their moments.

Marc Pugh’s free-kick deflected wide and Rhoys Wiggins thumped over from a neat corner routine. And Bradbury’s side eventually got the goal they had been threatening – but it owed more to good fortune than skill.

Posh stopper Lewis gave Cherries a helping hand when he missed a Pugh corner, leaving Ings to convert the loose ball from close range.

The hard-working homegrown star saw a low shot held by Lewis, but Posh left the Dorset outfit with a mountain to climb when Mackail-Smith struck his second three minutes before the interval.

He is rated highly and in fine form – but even the best forwards will settle for scrambling the ball over the line from three yards, as the 27-year-old did after Cherries failed to deal with Grant McCann’s corner.

Seeking a route back into the contest – and perhaps sensing Posh might be vulnerable at the back – Bradbury called on player-assistant boss Fletcher.

Ings hooked wide from a volley and McDermott saw a fierce shot blocked as Cherries pressed. At the other end, Boyd turned well but found Jalal equal to his low effort.

After Cherries had enjoyed more than their share of the play, they were handed a lifeline by the most familiar of sources.

Talismanic Fletcher, dominant in the air, somehow got in between two defenders at the far post to guide home Feeney’s deep cross, looping a pinpoint header into the far corner.

It was a well-deserved breakthrough and Cherries got a taste for it, pushing in a bid to find a late equaliser.

Pearce headed over before Fletcher, arriving to meet a Wiggins cross, headed wide. But there was still time and Cherries made their point in added time.

Fletcher caused trouble in the Posh defence and when the ball dropped kindly on the edge of the penalty area, Smith was on hand to strike a low shot, which slipped through Lewis’s grasp.

Cherries celebrated their comeback with the visiting fans, while the mood among the majority of those at London Road was summed up by the glum faces of the home supporters as they headed for the exits.