Jonson Clarke-Harris netted twice to earn Posh a share of the spoils against Barnsley.

Peterborough United ended 2023 with back to back 2-2 draws to reaffirm their positions as one of the most entertaining teams in the EFL and on this occasion, the performance was full of heart and character as Darren Ferguson’s men bounced back from 2-0 down to earn a share of the spoils.

Williams lashed a shot over inside the opening 60 seconds for the Tykes before the visitors did take the lead as Herbie KANE took advantage of a defensive error to fire into the bottom corner. Nicholas Bilokapic suffered an injury in the incident that led to that goal and was replaced on 18 minutes by Fynn Talley for his league debut.

Clarke-Harris headed a Peter Kioso cross wide on 23 minutes before the visitors doubled the lead as top scorer Devante COLE fired home from close-range. As the first half moved into six minutes of added time, Posh pulled a goal back as CLARKE-HARRIS met a David Ajiboye centre and his header crept over the line despite the efforts of the goalkeeper and then a defender, who ultimately made sure as he sliced the ball into the net.

Talley did well to keep out a fierce drive from Kane before Phillips fired over while Joel Randall saw a shot saved after good hold-up play by Clarke-Harris. It didn’t take long for Posh to find a leveller, two minutes into the second half in fact as CLARKE-HARRIS powered home a delicious cross from Harrison Burrows.

The visitors came close to retaking the lead on 56 minutes as O’Keefe rifled an effort against the crossbar after excellent approach play by Cole. Substitute Kwame Poku saw an effort saved by Roberts after a tidy Posh build-up on 58 minutes.

Talley did well to push a Connell effort around the post two minutes later before Posh were somehow not awarded a spot-kick as Mason-Clark was bundled over in the penalty area after a forceful run.

Mason-Clark struck the top of the crossbar with a powerful left-footed effort before substitute Ricky-Jade Jones couldn’t quite toe-poke the ball past the keeper after a slide-rule pass by Poku.

Posh: Bilokapic (sub Talley 19min), Edwards, Knight, Burrows, Kioso, De Havilland, Collins, Katongo (sub Kyprianou 71min), Mason-Clark (sub Jones 71min), Clarke-Harris, Ajiboye. Unused subs: Crichlow, De Havilland, Wakeling, 

Barnsley: Roberts, Williams, Gevigney, Kane, Styles, O’Keefe (sub Lopata 65min), Dodgson, Phillips (sub Cadden 65min), Cole, McAtee (sub Watters 65min), Connell. Subs: Killiop, Cosgrove, Jalo, Cotter.

Half-time: Peterborough United 1-2 Barnsley
Full-time: Peterborough United 2-2 Barnsley
Attendance: 10,686 (1,160 Barnsley fans)
Referee: Adam Herczeg