Boston United 2-1 Peterborough Sports

Mooney's 32nd minute opener against Peterborough Sports was added to by Knowles four minutes later but Brad Nicholson's dismissal for a second yellow card at the mid-point of the second half made for a nervy finale.

Sports debutant Brandon Njoku reduced the arrears with 14 minutes to play, but United held on for a crucial three points.

The match was watched by a bumper crowd of 2,683 - including the highest number yet of home fans present on Pilgrim Way.

Peterborough had the better of the early exchanges and Gregory had to be alert to save from Cambridge United loanee Njoku, who had wriggled through, while player-boss Michael Gash dragged an effort wide.

United took the lead when Keaton Ward surged down the right to deliver a pinpoint cross and MOONEY got up highest to head beyond former Boston keeper Peter Crook.

The Pilgrims doubled their advantage four minutes later when Jai Rowe teed up KNOWLES to beat Crook with aplomb from 12 yards.

Crook made a huge save to deny Mooney his second and United's third, while Knowles saw a goal ruled out for offside on the end of Ethan Sephton's cross from the left.

After the break, Njoku and ex-Pilgrim Kaine Felix both shaved the woodwork - either side of Nicholson's two cautions inside seven minutes.

NJOKU did bring Peterborough back into contention when he surged through to poke the ball past Gregory but United defended manfully with 10 men to seal a massive victory in the play-off chase.

Boston (4-1-2-1-2): Cameron Gregory; Jai Rowe, Michael Bostwick, Brad Nicholson, Ethan Sephton (Lucien Mahovo 62); Martin Woods; Jordan Richards, Dylan Hill (Michael Gyasi 90); Keaton Ward; Kelsey Mooney, Jimmy Knowles (Zak Mills 83). Subs (not used): Tom Leak, Deji Sotona.

Peterborough (3-5-2): Peter Crook; Connor Johnson, Rory McAuley, Ryan Fryatt (Ashton Fox 81); Kaine Felix, Dan Jarvis, Hugh Alban-Jones, Josh McCammon, Elicha Ahui; Brandon Njoku, Michael Gash. Subs (not used): Matt Tootle, Dan Lawlor, Cuba Meyer, Kellan Hickinson.

Referee: Harry Jones.

Attendance: 2,683 (88 visitors).

PIC: Chris Bray.