Boston United 4-1 Lowestoft Town

The Pilgrims trailed to Harvey Hodd's seventh minute opener for the Trawlerboys but a John Sands double, scored either side of half-time, turned the tables.

Lewis Hilliard added a third from the penalty spot before Mark Jones emerged from the bench to add a late fourth for United.

The result avenged the Pilgrims' 3-0 defeat at the hands of the same opponents on Boxing Day and maintained their position in the play-off places.

Jason Alexander was handed his first start in goal since September 26, with Henrich Ravas unfit to feature from the outset.

There was a glorious chance for Sands after only two minutes, one-on-one, but he crashed his shot against Ben Killip and United had to make do with a corner instead. Carl Piergianni then looped a header wide following Kaine Felix's deep cross from the right.

Town took the lead when Shaun Bammant worked the ball across to HODD, who sailed his effort home via a large deflection off Piergianni.

United responded with Hilliard dinking the ball over Danny Burns, but blazing over the bar from 18 yards.

Lowestoft were denied a second goal when Jack Ainsley's close-range finish was chalked off for an offside infringement.

United levelled on 26 minutes with Liam Marrs' clever dinked pass being controlled and finished by SANDS for his first goal in Boston colours.

Rossi Jarvis and Jake Reed fired efforts off target for the Trawlerboys in the opening throes of the second half, but United inched in front after 57 minutes, with SANDS heading home Hilliard's fortuitously-awarded corner.

Piergianni's subsequent towering header was saved by Killip following Zak Mills' long throw before the Pilgrims were awarded a penalty following Ainsley's foul on Jay Rollins. Killip got both hands to the spot-kick but could not keep out the driven effort from HILLIARD.

Town tried to respond and Rossi Jarvis' fine effort bounced over via the crossbar.

Sands' hat-trick attempt was stopped by Killip following substitute Cameron Johnson's well-timed pass, while fellow sub Jones' goalbound shot, destined for the bottom corner, was inadvertently blocked by own team-mate Piergianni.

United added the icing to the cake four minutes from time when JONES side-stepped a challenge on the edge of the box before finishing with aplomb, low to Killip's left, from 18 yards.

Boston (4-4-2): Jason Alexander; Zak Mills, Scott Garner, Carl Piergianni, Liam Marrs; Kaine Felix (Cameron Johnson 46), Jordan Richards, Grant Roberts (Mark Jones 76), Jay Rollins; Lewis Hilliard, John Sands (Ryan Robbins 80). Sub (not used): Henrich Ravas (gk).

Lowestoft (4-4-2): Ben Killip; Harry Barker, Jack Ainsley, Danny Burns, Robert Eagle; Harvey Hodd (Chris Henderson 71), Rossi Jarvis, Andrew Fisk, Ryan Jarvis; Jake Reed, Shaun Bammant (Bradley Woods-Garness 68). Subs (not used): Dean Mason, Adam Smith, Jake Jessup (gk).

Referee: Declan Ford.

Attendance: 1,499 (109 visitors).