Boston United 1-2 North Ferriby United

The Pilgrims led through Southwell's 22nd minute opener but visitors North Ferriby United responded two minutes later through Danny Hone.

The away side stole all three points a minute from time when Danny Emerton pounced to score from a partially-cleared corner.

The result left the Pilgrims playing catch-up in the promotion race, with only seven games left before the end of the campaign.

Lincoln City loanees Nat Brown and Conner Robinson both started, while Southwell returned to action alongside the recalled Grant Roberts.

It was a lively start from Boston, with Robinson jinking past two challenges and into the box but he scuffed his shot wide. Robinson's fierce drive was then palmed behind Adam Nicklin to win Boston their second corner of the game.

The hosts took the lead when SOUTHWELL found himself in the right place to steer the ball home after Robinson had neatly laid off Scott Garner's low cross.

Ferriby were back in it almost immediately with HONE sticking out a long leg to divert Adam Bolder's free-kick beyond Fabian Spiess.

Roberts did exceptionally well in response to motor a fair distance and open up space for a shot but his finish was lacking and the ball flew wide.

Spiess made a superb save to keep out Curtis Bateson's effort which was destined for the back of the net towards the end of the first half, while a glancing header from Brown flew wide following Zak Mills' deep cross.

Second half chances were at a premium, although Spiess did save well to keep out Bateson's stinging drive, while Jay Rollins countered to blaze over for the Pilgrims.

United went agonisingly close when Robinson's angled drive flashed across goal and wide of Nicklin's left-hand post on 71 minutes.

Hone was required to produce an excellent block to deny Southwell after substitute Malachi Lavelle-Moore had nodded down Rollins' cross from the left.

It was left to Ferriby sub EMERTON to wrap up all three points for the visitors, forcing the ball home from a corner that United failed to clear to stun the bemused home fans.

Boston (4-4-2): Fabian Spiess; Joe Burgess, Zak Mills, Nat Brown, Liam Marrs; Kaine Felix (Lewis Hilliard 75), Scott Garner, Grant Roberts, Jay Rollins; Dayle Southwell, Conner Robinson (Malachi Lavelle-Moore 75). Subs (not used): Mark Jones, Harry Limb, Harry Payne (gk).

North Ferriby (4-2-3-1): Adam Nicklin; Ben Middleton (Sam Topliss 66), Danny Hone, Ashley Palmer, Josh Wilde; Nathan Hotte, Adam Bolder (Russell Fry 46); Wayne Brooksby (Danny Emerton 78), Liam King, Curtis Bateson; Tom Denton. Subs (not used): Mark Gray, Ryan Kendall.

Referee: Simon Barrow.

Attendance: 1,279 (51 visitors).