Exeter City ended their three game League One losing run as they snatched a late point away to Peterborough United. It had looked like it was going to be a fourth defeat in a row for the Grecians, before Millenic Alli scored the rebound of his saved penalty to salvage a late 1-1 draw.

Hector Kyprianou's opener looked to have given Posh their first league victory in seven League One games. Jack Fitzwater made a brilliant goalline clearance as for all City’s possession, they had created little in the way of chances.

But in the 90 ^th minute, Demetri Mitchell was needlessly tripped by Tayo Adun in the box, and the referee took his time before awarding the spot-kick. Alli’s penalty was saved by Nicholas Bilokapic, but the Irishman tucked away the rebound to give City a point.

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Peterborough’s poor season continued as they stayed 19 ^th . The Grecians rise to 14th in the League One table, and manager Gary Caldwell felt they fully deserved something out of the game for the way they fought and battled.

“The players were brilliant second half,” he said. “We kept going. The first half was not good enough and we gave them a goal start which always makes the game difficult. Second half, we were in total control but didn’t create enough with the possession we had.

“But we added impetus and Demi had a great action to get a penalty and a really big point for me after the difficult games we have had in the league. We have to take heart but we have to be better. In moments our play was excellent but not enough, so have to build and be better on Saturday.

“We can be better on transition but when bodies are on the line, this group is giving everything and fighting for points and we showed that with the second half performance. It is a big point, we have had difficult experiences and played well but not got the points total we wanted. The players deserve credit and never stopped trying but something to build on as the games come thick and fast.”

After the 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City on Saturday, Caldwell made six changes to the Exeter City team. Jack McMillan was suspended, while Vincent Harper was out with concussion. Jake Richards missed out with illness, while Caleb Watts had a calf injury. Kevin McDonald and Mitchell dropped to the bench.

In came Ilmari Niskanen, Ben Purrington, Kamari Doyle, Jack Aitchison, Josh Magennis and Joel Colwill, the latter making his full debut for the Grecians. A fit-again Ed James was also on the subs bench in what was an unfamiliar looking line-up and squad for City.

And it was Posh who had the first good chance with just four minutes on the clock. Ricky Jade-Jones worked some space on the left wing, he pulled the ball across to Ryan De Havilland who was unmarked no more than eight yards out, but he snatched at the chance and poked it wide

With 20 minutes gone, City had their first shot of the game – and indeed the previous game. Doyle saw a 30-yard strike narrowly whistle wide of the post. Alli then saw a dipping strike pushed behind for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Ed Francis on the half volley lashed over.

On the half hour, Posh should have taken the lead. Malik Mothersille picked out De Havilland with a cross, the midfielder struck a sweet first time effort, but Whitworth did brilliantly to get down low and palm the strike onto the post. It was a great save and a vital one.

In the 34 ^th minute, Peterborough did take a lead. It was a well worked move between Mothersille, De Havilland and then Jade-Jones, who nodded it down to Kyprianou, as the captain poked the finish back across goal and past Whitworth. There were some half-hearted appeals from the Grecians for offside, but the goal stood, as City failed to keep a clean sheet for the 12 ^th successive outing.

City were wasteful in the final third, seemingly giving the ball away too easily, and not making the most of set pieces they won. The Grecians were probing without any real threat, and sloppy with the ball.

Fitzwater had to make a brilliant goalline clearance to keep Exeter in with a chance. Mothersille’s effort was saved by Whitworth, but he only parried it to Gustav Lindgren. The Swede looked certain to score, but for Fitzwater somehow hooking it off the line.

That was vital as in the 90 ^th minute, City won a penalty and a chance to rescue something. Alli’s ball to Mitchell looked to be too heavy and running out of play, but he just kept it in play as Edun tripped him. Referee Sunny Gill took his time before pointing to the spot.

Alli, who had missed his only previous penalty for the Grecians, stepped up to take it. Bilokapic guessed correctly, diving low to his right to save it, but he could only parry it back into the path of the Irishman, who slotted home for his ninth goal of the season.

Seven minutes of stoppage-time were added-on. But neither side found a winner and the spoils and the points were shared. Exeter City are back in action on Saturday when they host Blackpool at St James Park.

“The fans stuck with us, they backed the team, and we gave them something to go back with but we can give them more,” Caldwell added. “To come here, be a goal down, the players deserve a lot of credit for the way they fought.”