Gloucester City 1-0 Boston United

The Pilgrims squandered glorious chances before half-time through Lewis Hilliard and Kaine Felix and were made to pay when Joe Parker scored the only goal of the game after 62 minutes.

The result ended United's run of four successive victories and ensured they failed to capitalise on other promotion rivals having dropped points on Saturday.

Dylan McEvoy was restored to the United XI following a five-match absence, while Grimsby Town loanee Josh Venney appeared for the first time in the middle of midfield.

There was a great chance for United in the third minute but Hilliard scuffed the ball wide after meeting Jay Rollins' cross from the left following initial good play from debutant Venney.

Fabian Spiess produced a terrific save at the other end a minute later to keep out Sam Avery's close-range effort following a City corner. Avery's glancing header then flew wide following Joe Hanks' flighted free-kick.

The frenetic pace continued with John Sands' diving header flying wide following Grant Roberts' cross from the left before Jasbir Singh spilled a routine ball into the box and Felix rolled it wide of an unguarded net to the astonishment of all inside the World of Smile Stadium.

Billy Jones' curling free-kick narrowly cleared Spiess' crossbar in the first of two added minutes at the end of the first half, while Carl Piergianni's header was tipped wide by Singh, following McEvoy's arrowing free-kick delivery, three minutes after the break.

City took the lead with 17 minutes of the second half played. Although Spiess made an excellent initial save, PARKER was on hand to head home the rebound.

It was nearly game, set and match 14 minutes from time when Joe Hanks' 30-yarder bounced back off the post and Spiess made a superb save to keep out Parker's follow-up.

United's only real opening in the closing stages fell to substitute Cameron Johnson but his 20-yarder was tipped wide by Singh.

Gloucester (4-2-3-1): Jasbir Singh; Mike Green, Robbie Cundy, Sam Avery, Billy Jones; Tom Webb, Calvin Dinsley; Ed Williams, Joe Hanks, Lewis Hall; Joe Parker. Subs (not used): Marc Richards, George Miller, Spencer Hamilton, Femi Orenuga, Chris Knowles.

Boston (4-4-2): Fabian Spiess; Liam Marrs, Scott Garner, Carl Piergianni, Dylan McEvoy; Kaine Felix (Cameron Johnson 68), Grant Roberts, Josh Venney, Jay Rollins (Mark Jones 20); John Sands (Malachi Lavelle-Moore 64), Lewis Hilliard. Subs (not used): Ioan Evans, Tommy Cooney.

Referee: Antony Coggins.

Attendance: 657.