Tamworth 1-2 Boston United

Hilliard capped a dominant United first half display with the opening goal on 40 minutes and Southwell added the second from the penalty spot nine minutes later, deep into added time, after keeper James Belshaw had fouled Kaine Felix.

The Lambs' Danny Newton reduced the arrears 12 minutes after the break, but United held firm for a decisive away win.

Subject to Nuneaton Town's points deduction standing, it lifted the Pilgrims back into the top five with five games to play.

Missing six players, United's resources were stretched and they were only able to name four substitutes for the trip to Staffordshire.

There was a let-off for Boston in the eighth minute, with Fabian Spiess' weak clearance finding Connor Taylor, only for Newton to spurn the chance of an open goal.

United threatened for the first time a minute later and Belshaw made a good save to tip Felix's angled effort over for a corner.

Belshaw made further saves to deny Felix (with his legs) and then Carl Piergianni from a Hilliard corner either side of Paul Green's goalbound drive for Tamworth being hacked away by Grant Roberts following Elliott Durrell's corner.

United went in front five minutes before half-time. Southwell's fierce drive was blocked and HILLIARD seized possession to arrow home a drive from 22 yards, low to Belshaw's right.

Things got even better for the visitors when SOUTHWELL blasted his 19th goal of the season straight down the middle, after Belshaw had tripped Felix to give United a spot-kick deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Curtis Strong's cross for Tamworth deflected off Zak Mills and to safety off the crossbar within six minutes of the restart.

Substitute Ryan Robbins, back from his loan spell at Corby Town, then flicked the ball through for Felix but the United winger was on his left foot and could only drill wide from a tightening angle.

Tamworth hit back on 57 minutes when Ellis Deeney's quick free-kick got past Joe Burgess and NEWTON was on hand to slam home the loose ball following Strong's driven return.

The hosts sensed an equaliser, but once Spiess had done well to deny Durrell, Ross Dyer's diving header flew wide at the back post and Steve Tomassen's low drive took a deflection and nestled agonisingly wide, Tamworth's chances dried up and the resolute Pilgrims were able to see out over six minutes of additional time for a crucial three-point haul.

Tamworth (4-2-3-1): James Belshaw; Andy Burns, Steve Tomassen, Daniel Preston, Curtis Strong; Paul Green (Jack Dyer 36), Ellis Deeney; Connor Taylor (Luke Hubbins 85), Elliott Durrell, Danny Newton; Ross Dyer. Subs (not used): Lee Smith, Ashley Carter, Kaid Mohamed.

Boston (4-3-3): Fabian Spiess; Zak Mills, Nat Brown, Carl Piergianni, Joe Burgess; Scott Garner, Grant Roberts, Lewis Hilliard; Malachi Lavelle-Moore (Ryan Robbins 46), Dayle Southwell, Kaine Felix. Subs (not used): Harry Limb, Conner Robinson, Harry Payne (gk).

Referee: Joe Hull.

Attendance: 889 (168 visitors).