Scott McDonald’s seventh goal of the season gave Boro the lead six minutes after the restart, but a Tommy Rowe header three minutes from time gave Peterborough a share of the spoils and denied Boro the chance to draw level on points with league leaders Southampton.

Middlesbrough’s Boxing Day match-winner, Barry Robson delivered an inswinging corner that found McDonald at the near post. The Socceroo somehow manoeuvred himself into space and found the back of the net with a glancing header.

McDonald hit the bar twice after heading Boro into the lead and it would come back to haunt the home side as Tommy Rowe equalised for the Posh. Boro’s Jason Steele made an excellent save to deny Paul Taylor but from the resulting corner, Rowe headed home to salvage a point for Darren Ferguson’s men.

Rhys Williams also put in a full shift Middlesbrough.

Elsewhere in the NPower Championship, Socceroo midfielder Mile Jedinak came close to opening his goal scoring account for Crystal Palace in their 1-0 win away to Shane Lowry’s Millwall. Jermain Easter had given Palace a twenty-third minute lead before Jedinak’s effort seven minutes later was tipped over by Steve Mildenhall. Both Aussies completed full ninety minutes for their respective clubs.

Adam Federici kept his fourth consecutive cleansheet in Reading’s 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town at the Madejski Stadium. A 63rd minute goal from Alex Pearce ensured all three points for Reading and maintained their four-game winning streak.

At Turf Moor, Richard Garcia played the final seven minutes for Hull City in their 1-0 defeat away to Burnley. The result condemned Hull to their second straight defeat in the Championship.

Patrick Kisnorbo and his Leeds United teammates were on the receiving end of a 4-1 drubbing away to Barnsley. A hat-trick from former Bolton man Ricardo Vaz Te leaves the Whites four points adrift of playoff positions having suffered three straight defeats.

Socceroo Neil Kilkenny was named on the bench and played the last twenty-four minutes as Bristol City ended Southampton’s unbeaten home record with a 1-0 win. Bristol City now sits three points clear of the relegation zone.

Aston Villa stunned Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge without Chris Herd. The midfielder did not feature again as works his way back to full fitness.

Over in League One, Alex Cisak continued in goal for Oldham in their 3-2 victory at home to Notts County. Paul Dickov’s men came from behind twice to record their first league win in five matches. Dean Bouzanis watched from the bench while James Wesolowski was absent with a shoulder injury.

In League Two, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff played the entire match as Shrewsbury suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bradford.

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