Boston United 3-1 Hednesford Town

The relegation battlers belied their lowly position to take an 11th minute lead through Stephane Ngamvoulou, but United levelled four minutes later through Grant Roberts.

An open encounter appeared to be heading for stalemate until visiting defender Jack Fitzwater received a second yellow card and Hilliard soon converted from the spot in a separate incident before Felix added a late third.

The result maintained United's title hopes and further boosted their ambitions of securing at least a top five berth.

It was all achieved against a backdrop of injuries and unavailabilities, with new signing Tommy Cooney thrown straight in for his debut, with four youth teamers on the bench.

United could have taken the lead inside 49 seconds, but a splendid save from Dan Crane kept out John Sands' angled drive.

Sean Williams' long-range free-kick for Town needed tipping over by Fabian Spiess, before visiting keeper Crane was called upon to deny Mark Jones from close-range after Carl Piergianni had nodded down Cooney's free-kick.

Town inched in front when Williams' quick free-kick allowed Shelton Payne to cross low from the left and NGAMVOULOU slammed the ball home at the near post.

There was almost an immediate response, with Fitzwater's diving header turned wide of his own near post by Crane.

United did level on the quarter-of-an-hour mark when Hilliard's free-kick was headed partially clear by the visiting defence and ROBERTS cracked home a beauty from 25 yards, low to Crane's left.

Hednesford ended the half well, with Cooney cutting out Payne's cross and Scott Garner's clearance nearly creeping in off Piergianni, while Ngamvoulou's drive was charged behind by Jones' heroic block.

Debutant Cooney produced a terrific last-gasp challenge to deny a clean through Obeng, with the Town striker then blasting wide with only Spiess to beat.

United started well after the break,with Roberts' rasping strike bouncing back off Crane's post, while Sands' glancing header was hacked clear by Jack Truelove following Hilliard's corner.

Sands then rounded Crane but fired wide of a gaping net.

There was a let-off for United with burly frontman Kyle Perry somehow hitting the bar from six yards following Williams' cross.

United resumed their offensive with Felix shooting into the side-netting before the match really erupted into life. Fitzwater received his marching orders for a challenge on substitute Cameron Johnson, following an earlier foul on Sands, and Boston took full advantage.

Sub Matt Regan, on moments earlier to shore up the Town rearguard, hacked down Felix and HILLIARD coolly sent Crane the wrong way from the spot.

Spiess made a crucial save to beat aside Williams' swerving free-kick and United added their third goal moments after opposing boss Frank Sinclair had been sent from the dugout.

Liam Marrs' right-wing cross was headed home at the back post by FELIX to cap United's fine comeback victory.

Boston (4-4-2): Fabian Spiess; Liam Marrs, Scott Garner, Carl Piergianni, Tommy Cooney; Kaine Felix, Grant Roberts, Lewis Hilliard, Jay Rollins; Mark Jones, John Sands (Cameron Johnson 62). Subs (not used): Harry Vince, Jack Dykes, Kofi Ross, Harry Payne (gk).

Hednesford (4-3-3): Dan Crane; Adam Thomas, Ben Bailey, Jack Fitzwater, Jack Truelove; Stephane Ngamvoulou (Kyle Patterson 84), Kennedy Digie, Sean Williams; Ahmed Obeng (Matt Regan 81), Kyle Perry, Shelton Payne (Paul Ennis 63). Subs (not used): Tom Thorley, Lloyd Ransome (gk).

Referee: Gareth Mellor.

Attendance: 1,269 (37 visitors).