Bishop (24) and Sergeant (40) struck after visiting midfielder James Bennett had handed Rasen a 12th minute lead at The Jakemans Stadium.

United roared back though and Bishop’s long-range stunner and Sergeant’s well-taken close-range finish were enough to seal a deserved home win.

In addition to claiming three valuable Lincolnshire League points, the likes of Ricky Drury, Jordan Fairclough and Ben Fairclough all got valuable match action under their belts, while Tom Ward completed 75 minutes on his continuing comeback from injury.

Tyrone Kirk, who played one competitive game for the Pilgrims in 2009, also appeared on the left flank.

United opened brightly and asserted plenty of early pressure, but it was Rasen who took the lead on 12 minutes. Matt Rutherford delivered a free-kick from the left and BENNETT rose highest to loop a header beyond the reach of Drury.

Boston tried to respond and Sergeant did brilliantly to get away and cross from the right, but Ben Fairclough missed his kick two yards out and the chance was lost.

United drew level on 24 minutes. Sergeant nipped round keeper William Bradford and had a fierce drive blocked by Aaron Greenbeck, only for the loose ball to fall to BISHOP, around 25 yards from goal, and he picked his spot with a spectacular low finish into the bottom corner.

Excellent play involving Kirk and Ben Fairclough culminated in a shooting opportunity for Sergeant and his drive was saved well by Bradford.

Boston took the lead five minutes before half-time. Fancy footwork down the United left from Kirk resulted in an inviting centre and SERGEANT applied the cool finish from six yards.

Matt Price slammed a low effort wide from a Liam Ogden corner at the beginning of the second half, while Kirk smashed an effort against the post following another Ogden assist.

Successive penalty shouts for Bishop and Sergeant were waved away by referee David Tutty as the encounter descended into a series of niggles involving both sides.

The referee’s leniency was tested to the limit by the Rasen players and burly striker Ian Williams was lucky not to see red for an off-the-ball incident involving Tom Ward.

Bradford made a good stop to keep out a Sergeant drive following a Richard Jackson assist, while Drury had to be alert to deny Adam Brumpton, following a flowing move involving fellow substitute Andrew Belt.

Tutty awarded the Pilgrims a penalty seven minutes from time, following a foul on Sergeant, but the referee changed the decision having belatedly seen the offside flag of assistant Matthew Jackson was already raised.

Rasen searched for an unlikely equaliser, but once Brumpton’s stoppage time free-kick had flown wide, the Pilgrims were able to contemplate their rise to third in the league standings.

Boston (4-4-2): Ricky Drury; Jordan Fairclough, Tom Ward (Mitch Eustace 75), Matt Price, Jason Field; Liam Ogden, Nick Bishop, Richard Jackson, Tyrone Kirk (Bert Snaith 62); Tom Sergeant, Ben Fairclough (Tony Edwards 75). Subs (not used): Nathan Rawdon, Andy Hewitt (gk).

Market Rasen (4-4-2): William Bradford; James Brothwell, Aaron Greenbeck, David Hone, Jake Wade; Kyle Paul (Andrew Belt 62), James Bennett (Kal Mattu 86), Matt Rutherford, Jason Hall; Ian Williams (Adam Brumpton 73), Nathan Smith. Subs (not used): Andrew Brumpton, Dale Christie.

Referee: David Tutty