MARCUS Maddison’s injury time equaliser handed Peterborough United a 1-1 draw at Southend United this afternoon.

Anthony Wordsworth fired the Shrimpers in front 12 minutes from time having earlier missed a penalty.

But Maddison cancelled out the midfielder’s effort with a low, left footed shot which flew into the bottom right hand corner of the net from 20 yards.

Southend – who have still not won successive games since February – threatened early on with Stephen McLaughlin firing wide of the right post from long range before Posh hit back with Maddison shooting straight at Mark Oxley from 12 yards.

Moments later, Leonardo Da Silva Lopes fired wide of the right from the edge of the penalty area before Blues hit back with Jason Demetriou sending a tame 20 yard shot – from a Wordsworth free-kick – straight at Posh goalkeeper Luke McGee.

The Shrimpers then came even closer to taking the lead in the 40th minute when Jermaine McGlashan’s deep right wing cross picked out McLaughlin whose looping header struck the top of the crossbar.

But, just before the break, the visitors were also denied by the woodwork as Maddison slammed an effort against the crossbar after good approach play from Paul Taylor.

After the break, Demetriou sent a low, left footed shot straight at McGee before Maddison could only fire straight at Oxley when clean through on goal at the other end of the field.

However, the Shrimpers soon replied and, with 64 minutes on the clock, they wasted a golden chance to take the lead when referee James Adcock pointed to the spot after Maddison had handled Ben Coker’s left wing cross.

But Wordsworth – who scored a penalty against Oxford United on Tuesday night – opted to change direction from 12 yards and saw his weak effort saved by McGee low down to the goalkeeper’s left hand side.

Five minutes after the missed opportunity, Blues boss Phil Brown made a double change with new signing Marc Antoine Fortune entering the action for his Southend debut.

The Frenchman replaced McLaughlin while Simon Cox replaced David Mooney at the same time.

And, with 78 minutes on the clock, the new look Shrimpers made the break through, with Wordsworth on target for the second game in succession.

The midfielder reacted sharply inside the box after Cox’s left wing cross had been deflected into his path and fired a rising left foot shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

Blues remained on top after going in front with McGlashan having a goalbound effort blocked and Cox sending an awkward effort wide of a gaping goal after excellent approach play from Ryan Leonard.

That missed opportunity was to prove crucial right at the death as Maddison worked the ball onto his left foot and fired a powerful effort into the bottom right hand corner of the net to deny the Shrimpers all three points.