Boston United 1-1 Altrincham

Ben Fairclough had handed the Pilgrims a 35th minute lead, but Altrincham struck back six minutes after half-time through James Lawrie.

The result was arguably fair on the balance of play with Altrincham enjoying plenty of possession on the break and the Pilgrims coming into proceedings during an action-packed second half.

The result, coupled with defeats for Gainsborough Trinity and Worcester City and a draw for Stalybridge Celtic, left the Pilgrims five points off the play-offs with eight matches to play.

Altrincham, the division’s top scorers, started off well and seemed eager to build on their 6-1 win over the Pilgrims at Moss Lane in October.

Paul Bastock was called upon to keep out a Lawrie drive following Damian Reeves’ cross before being well-positioned to keep out Simon Richman’s header following a John Miles cross.

Bastock was also in the right place at the right time to clutch Matthew Flynn’s downward header following a Lawrie corner.

United took the lead with their first meaningful attack. Sheer persistence from Danny Sleath down the left culminated in an excellent cross which FAIRCLOUGH rose to bullet into the top corner.

Bastock blocked a Leighton McGivern header towards the end of the first half as the Robins continued to look menacing on the break.

Lively youngster Duncan Watmore was introduced at half-time for Altrincham and he soon played a part in visitors’ equaliser.

Watmore’s initial crossfield ball found McGivern, who was denied by a good Bastock save. The ball looped up invitingly for LAWRIE who guided home a well-placed header from eight yards.

Altrincham were on top and Scott Phelan rattled the post from 20 yards, while Bastock clawed away a Reeves header following Lawrie’s corner.

The Pilgrims stepped up a gear and skipper Gareth Jelleyman headed wide at the back post following an Ian Ross flag-kick.

Spencer Weir-Daley then saw an angled drive grabbed by Stuart Coburn following neat play between Ben Milnes and Marc Newsham.

Ryan Semple made his long-awaited return from injury as a 69th minute substitute for Fairclough and United continued to attack.

Sleath’s drive was beaten aside by Coburn, while Tom Ward’s goalbound header from a Ross corner was blocked on the line by Nicky Clee — possibly using his hand.

Coburn then produced the save of the match to tip Sleath’s drive on to the crossbar following Semple’s left-wing assist.

Drama ensued in stoppage time when Sleath’s drive appeared to be handled by Chris Lynch, although no penalty was forthcoming, and Reeves put the ball in the net for Altrincham but was deemed to be offside.

Boston (4-3-3): Paul Bastock; Conor Marshall, Tom Ward, Nathan Stainfield, Gareth Jelleyman; Ben Milnes, Ian Ross, Danny Sleath; Ben Fairclough (Ryan Semple 69), Spencer Weir-Daley (Jason Lee 78), Marc Newsham. Subs (not used): Chris Hall, Kevin Austin, Jason Lee.

Altrincham (4-4-2): Stuart Coburn; Shaun Densmore, Matthew Flynn, Chris Lynch, Nicky Clee (Mark Lynch 90); John Miles (Duncan Watmore 46), Simon Richman, Scott Phelan, James Lawrie; Damian Reeves, Leighton McGivern (Michael Twiss 89). Subs (not used): James Holden, Adam Reid (gk).

Referee: Jason Tyas