Corby Town 1-2 Boston United

Fairclough swooped to score a diving header three minutes into added time as the Pilgrims completed a tremendous turnaround in Northamptonshire.

An Ian Ross free-kick had levelled proceedings after Delroy Gordon had handed Corby a half-time lead against the run of play.

The result was fair on the balance of play with the Pilgrims creating the better opportunities throughout the 90 minutes — including Marc Newsham rattling the crossbar late on.

Showing an unchanged line-up from the side which had drawn 0-0 against Nuneaton Town seven days earlier, the Pilgrims were bright from the off and forced eight first half corners.

Ross delivered eight set-piece deliveries but United never particulary threatened aerially against a tall, strong and disciplined Corby backline.

Home keeper Chris Mackenzie produced heroics to keep out a 25-yard bullet from Danny Sleath as Boston cranked up the pressure.

Jordan Smith slammed an Andy Hall cross inches wide of Paul Bastock’s far post but it was not much longer before the Steelmen edged in front.

From their first corner of the afternoon, Hall delivered the ammunition and full-back GORDON forced the ball over the line at the second attempt.

It was rough justice on the Pilgrims and they sought an instant riposte with Ross forcing Mackenzie into a low save on the stroke of half-time.

Ben Milnes and Sam Mullarkey traded across-the-face-of-goal efforts at the beginning of the second period, but United levelled eight minutes into the half.

Sleath was chopped down 20 yards from goal and ROSS stepped up to brilliantly fire home the resultant free-kick high to Mackenzie’s left.

Boston upped the tempo even further and Fairclough’s drive was deflected off the line and over the bar by Paul Mayo, following Newsham’s left-wing cross.

It was then Newsham’s turn to go close when he smacked the bar with a 20-yard curler, while Fairclough’s dipping effort was grabbed by the Corby keeper.

Corby went close themselves when Smith wriggled free 20 yards from goal to test Bastock, but the veteran Boston keeper was equal to the effort with a fine parrying save over the bar.

With the match ticking towards an all-square conclusion, full-back Conor Marshall delivered a teasing ball from the right and FAIRCLOUGH applied the finishing touch amid a crowded penalty area to send United’s supporters wild.

There was still time for Mackenzie to deny Spencer Weir-Daley at the death, but United’s task was completed.

Corby (4-4-2): Chris Mackenzie; Delroy Gordon, Phil Gulliver, Paul Malone, Paul Mayo; Andy Hall (Aynsley McDonald 89), Steve Towers, James Ozmen (Troy Farden 72), Jordan Smith; Sam Mullarkey (Pat Bexfield 78), Mark Jones. Subs (not used): Ritchie Jones, Jake Walton.

Boston (4-3-3): Paul Bastock; Conor Marshall, Lee Canoville, Tom Ward, Gareth Jelleyman; Ben Milnes (Chris Hall 90), Ian Ross, Danny Sleath; Ben Fairclough, Spencer Weir-Daley, Marc Newsham (Leon Constantine 79). Subs (not used): Kevin Austin, Nathan Stainfield, Tony Edwards.

Referee: Guy Stretton