A flurry of second-half chances went astray as Boreham Wood ran League One side Peterborough United close but lost 1-0 in their third pre-season friendly.

This was arguably Wood's most complete pre-season performance following victory over Brentford on Friday and a 5-0 loss against Reading 24 hours later.

Chances came and went for Luke Garrard's side who, after a drab first half, were eventually undone by Marcus Maddison's precise penalty kick four minutes into the second period.

Wood started with just one trialist – goalkeeper Grant Smith – after Garrard released Paul White, Jaydon Gibbs, Luis Morrison, Sam Hatton, Jordon Gibbons, Ashan Holgate, Charlie Strutton following Saturday’s defeat to the Royals.

On the bench there were places for three further players not under contract at Meadow Park – Sam Beasant, Kadell Daniel and Daniel Uchechi.

It was Peterborough who dominated possession in the first half but Wood had the best opportunity early on.

After seven minutes full-back Ben Nunn dinked an inviting ball over the Posh backline for Morgan Ferrier to chase. He tried to slide a cross into the near post for Ricky Shakes, who was deployed at number ten, but keeper Ben Alnwick blocked well with his feet.

Posh almost benefited from a slice of fortune seven minutes later when the dangerous Paul Taylor crossed to the near post only for Joe Devera to intervene and head narrowly over his own crossbar.

Chances were few and far between with Posh dictating much of the play without prising open a resolute Wood defence. Keeper Smith had little to do – testament to a defence which had the seventh best defensive record in the National League last term.

Six minutes before the break Wood ought to have worked Alnwick. The industrious Bruno Andrade picked up possession on the left-hand side of the penalty area and drove across the face of goal before letting fly. But the winger’s shot missed the target altogether.

Peterborough passed up their best chance seconds before the break. The ball span up in the air and fell for full-back Hayden White on the edge of the box. The Posh defender took a touch and sent a tame effort into the palms of Smith before the referee’s whistle brought the half to a close.

Wood boss Garrard introduced Beasant, Matt Paine and Conor Clifford at the break while his opposite number, Grant McCann, made 11 changes as planned.

It was the visitors who settled better, going in front four minutes after the restart. A Clifford free-kick hit the one-man wall and Posh broke at pace. With the visitors at a numerical advantage it was a desperate lunge from Nunn which felled Brad Inman inside the box. Maddison duly dispatched the penalty with Beasant diving the wrong way.

Andrade, had scored a stunner in Wood’s pre-season opener against Brentford on Friday, worked replacement keeper Dion Curtis-Henry shortly after with a free-kick which dipped over the visitors’ wall only to be caught by the Posh stopper.

Wood went closer still in the 70th minute when two substitutes combined. Clifford broke forward and laid the ball off for Uchechi to his right. But the former West Ham United forward was denied by the crossbar when his left-footed curler struck the woodwork.

The visitors replied seconds later when substitute Joe Gormley tested Beasant with a volley which the replacement keeper grabbed hold of at the second attempt.

Maddison had been a threat for Posh ever since his introduction at the break and he should have registered an assist when his deft pass released Inman. But the former Newcastle United youngster dragged his shot wide.

By now chances were beginning to flow and Wood had three in quick succession.

Shakes had the first from a central position but saw his low strike superbly kept out by Curtis-Henry. From the resulting corner Uchechi headed against the post before young substitute Kyle Roberts had a follow-up blocked by Jack Baldwin.

Roberts and Shakes combined again soon after with Curtis-Henry repelling efforts from both players as Wood continued to pepper the visitors' goal.

There was still time for Peterborough to go close with Coulthirst and Inman failing to find a way beyond Beasant at the death.

Next up for Garrard's side is a visit from an Arsenal XI on Saturday.

Boreham Wood: Smith (Beasant HT); Nunn, Stephens, Devera, Woodards (B.Goodliffe 79); Moke (Paine HT), Davis (Uchechi 65), Ricketts (c) (Clifford HT), Andrade (Daniel 65); Shakes; Ferrier (Roberts 75).

Peterborough United: Alnwick; White, Taffazoli, Santos, Hughes; Forrester (c); J.Taylor, Da Silva Lopes; P.Taylor; Williams, Nichols.

Peterborough United second half: Curtis-Henry; Beautyman, Baldwin, Bostwick, Freestone; Nabi; Chettle, Inman; Maddison; Gormley, Coulthirst.

Referee: Elliott Kaye.