Eastwood Town 2-2 Boston United

The Pilgrims gave away two sloppy first half goals, converted by Francis Green and Jevaise Christie, but United twice responded through Ian Ross and Marc Newsham.

The result was arguably fair on the balance of play as United failed to complete their first league double of the campaign.

Naming an unchanged line-up heading into the contest, United started brightly in sodden Nottinghamshire, with returning keeper Ian Deakin excelling to tip a Ross lob over the crossbar.

Eastwood drew first blood with 11 minutes on the clock. United were caught out in the right-back position and after Paul Bastock had kept out an initial drive from Christie, GREEN sailed an effort beyond the Boston keeper via a large deflection off the unfortunate Tom Ward.

United suffered a further blow three minutes later when Ben Milnes was helped off the pitch following an ankle injury.

The Pilgrims levelled on 18 minutes. Kevin Austin was fouled by Christie and ROSS sailed home a fabulous 25-yard free-kick which gave Deakin no chance.

Parity lasted only six minutes. Jordan Fairclough was caught napping and steered an attempted back-header beyond Bastock and CHRISTIE was left with a simple tap-in.

Fairclough tried to make amends and saw an angled drive tipped wide by Deakin, while Bastock was called upon to keep out a long-range Paul Riley free-kick.

United cranked up the pressure after the break, with substitute Ryan Semple particularly prominent.

Ross delivered an inviting corner which was met by a goalbound Lee Canoville header, but ex-Pilgrim Josh Burge was well-positioned to block the ball on the line.

Burge almost had a telling impact at the other end too, but Bastock denied the midfielder’s curling effort, before clawing the loose ball away from an advancing Christie.

Canoville planted another header wide following a Ross corner, but another flag-kick moments later hauled United level. Ross played the ball short to Semple and his left-wing centre was touched home by NEWSHAM at his predatory best.

United sensed the game was there for the winning — but Eastwood stood firm.

Newsham’s shot-on-the-turn was repelled by Riley, while Jason Lee headed wide from Fairclough’s late cross, as time ran out for the Pilgrims.

Eastwood (4-3-3): Ian Deakin; Kallum Keane, David Haggerty, Gavin Caines (Sam Benjamin 46), Paul Riley; Josh Burge, Mitch Hanson, Ross Gardner; Markell Bailey (Alex Troke 64), Francis Green, Jevaise Christie (Jason Bradley 83). Subs (not used): Danny Elliott, Jake Want (gk).

Boston 4-3-3): Paul Bastock; Jordan Fairclough, Lee Canoville, Tom Ward, Kevin Austin; Ben Milnes (Chris Hall 14), Ian Ross, Danny Sleath; Tyrone Kirk (Ryan Semple 46), Jason Lee, Marc Newsham. Subs: Leon Constantine, Ben Fairclough, Ryan Semple, Chris Hall, Jason Field.

Referee: Simon Bennett