Cardiff City's faltering bid for promotion in League One lost further momentum as they could only draw at Peterborough United.

In a frustratingly familiar first half, the dominant Bluebirds had 15 shots but only three on target as their wait for a goal stretched beyond two and a half games.

Half-time substitute Alex Robertson took less than three minutes to break the drought, half-volleying the visitors in front.

But Peterborough were level just 17 seconds later as Harry Leonard raced on to Kyrell Lisbie's lofted pass and finished neatly.

Cardiff had chances to restore their lead, but their wastefulness means they have only two wins from eight games.

Leaders Lincoln City confirmed their promotion with victory at Reading and are all but guaranteed to be crowned champions now they are 12 points clear of Cardiff in second place, albeit having played one match more.

Most significantly, however, the Bluebirds had their advantage over the teams outside the automatic promotion places cut to seven points as Bradford City won at Wycombe Wanderers to move up to third.

Bolton Wanderers, who visit Cardiff next Saturday, are one point further back in fourth following their 2-2 draw with Stockport County, who are fifth.

Peterborough, who have only one win in nine matches, move up one position to 13th, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Captain Calum Chambers said Cardiff had used last month's international break as a "reset" after a run of three defeats and two draws from their previous seven games had seen them almost cut adrift by Lincoln.

But there was a sinking sense of déjà vu about the way the Welsh side made the same mistakes at Peterborough, unable to turn their dominance into a win.

Brian Barry-Murphy's men were quick to take control, bossing possession and territory from the first whistle and putting their opponents under severe pressure.

Posh goalkeeper Alex Bass had a busy afternoon, with his best save a flying effort to tip over Ryan Wintle's curling shot from 25 yards – one of three stops he made from the midfielder.

Yet for all their intricate build-up, Cardiff could not make their technical superiority count.

Peterborough only managed one first-half chance against the run of play as pacy teenager Bolu Shofowoke sped past Chambers and forced Nathan Trott into a save.

The home side also thought Cardiff midfielder David Turnbull should have been sent off for a sliding tackle which forced their captain Tom Lees off injured, but the Scot escaped with a yellow card.

Turnbull was substituted at half-time and his replacement, Robertson, had an instant impact as Peterborough failed to clear Ollie Tanner's cross and the Australia international fired his shot into the ground and into the net.

Almost straight from the subsequent kick-off, Posh equalised as Leonard scampered clear to finish beyond Trott.

The second half was a more even contest but Cardiff were soon in the ascendancy again, Cian Ashford having a close-range header well blocked before Tanner fired wide.

Top scorer Yousef Salech made a welcome return from injury as a substitute, his first appearance since January, but not even his much-missed presence in attack could make the difference as the Bluebirds' bid to return to the Championship faltered again.