Boston United 1-2 Spennymoor Town

James denied Martin Woods and Deji Sotona from 12 yards, after the Moors had raced into a two-goal lead either side of half-time through Corey McKeown and ex-Pilgrim Ben Pollock.

Jai Rowe did reduce the arrears in stoppage time, but United were left to rue missed chances for the likes of Adam Marriott, Jimmy Knowles, Sam Smart and Brad Nicholson on an extraordinary afternoon at the Jakemans Community Stadium.

The Pilgrims' profligacy in front of goal was laid bare in the fourth minute when Marriott steered off target and wide following Rowe's inviting cross from the right.

Moors took a 12th minute lead when McKEOWN worked a yard of space to bend a fine, dipping finish beyond the despairing dive of Cameron Gregory from 25 yards.

Smart motored clear in response, but crashed an effort into the side-netting.

The Pilgrims started the second half brightly, with Knowles striking the post and then Woods seeing his follow-up brilliantly blocked by Pollock. Woods subsequently delivered a free-kick from the left flank and Nicholson fired a gilt-edged chance over the bar from six yards.

Spennymoor ultimately made the points safe nine minutes into the half when Danny Greenfield delivered a corner, which United failed to deal with, and POLLOCK slammed home the loose ball.

United were awarded their first spot-kick when John Lufudu bundled over Knowles at the back post and James brilliantly denied Woods, before thwarting Smart and Sotona on the follow-up.

Pollock was later penalised for handball, with Sotona stepping up from 12 yards - only to be denied by James. His follow-up hit the back of the net, but was harshly ruled out after referee Darius Bradley deemed the keeper had control of the loose ball.

James made an excellent save to deny Kelsey Mooney, before finally being beaten in the third minute of additional time when ROWE powerfully headed home following Ethan Sephton's cross from the left.

Boston (4-4-2): Cameron Gregory; Jai Rowe, Michael Bostwick, Brad Nicholson, Ethan Septhon; Sam Smart (Keziah Martin 73), Jordan Richards, Martin Woods, Deji Sotona (Michael Gyasi 78); Adam Marriott (Kelsey Mooney 59), Jimmy Knowles. Subs (not used): Keaton Ward, Dylan Hill.

Spennymoor (4-2-3-1): Brad James; John Lufudu, Lebrun Mbeka, Ben Pollock, Dan Myers; Matt Dolan (Sam Fielding 81), Isaac Fletcher (Finley Shrimpton 74); Danny Greenfield, Rob Ramshaw, Corey McKeown; Will Harris (David Moyo 78). Subs (not used): Donald Chimalilo, Michael Ledger.

Referee: Darius Bradley.

Attendance: 1,570 (42 visitors).

PIC: Chris Bray.