Craig Mackail-Smith's late strike broke the hearts of Ryman Premier outfit AFC Hornchurch and ensured Peterborough marched on to the second round of the FA Cup.

Predictably it was the League One high fliers who made the early running with Dominic Green forcing home keeper Dale Brightly in to action with a dangerous free kick in the second minute.

Hornchurch's first opportunity arrived in the ninth minute as Kris Lee found half a yard in the box only to fire over after Peterborough had failed to clear a corner.

The dangerous George Boyd then had a shot cleared off the line for the visitors before the non-league side had a goal chalked off after Dean Green was adjudged to have handled Lee's cross over the line.

In an open second half Dean Green headed a good opportunity over the crossbar after good work from ex-Spurs midfielder Mark Janney before Posh substitute Mackail-Smith was denied by Brightly after racing on to an Aaron McLean flick.

The ever-dangerous Dean Green was denied by a brilliant save from England under- 21 keeper Joe Lewis in the 81st minute after the striker had raced on to a long ball and struck a sweet half volley from the edge of the box.

But there was to be a late twist in the tale as Brightly spilt a seemingly straightforward Boyd strike from the edge of the box and Mackail-Smith was on hand to tuck home the rebound.

Posh will now face either Accrington Stanley or Tranmere in the next round.