Leamington 0-0 Boston United

The Pilgrims huffed and puffed at the New Windmill Ground but were ultimately left five points adrift of the play-off positions with two games to play.

Ricky Miller hit the bar in the first half, while two Carl Piergianni headers flew narrowly off target in the second half as United's frustrations intensified.

Leamington keeper Tony Breeden saw plenty of the ball during the 90 minutes although United's efforts on target were largely tame affairs.

The mid-table Brakes threatened first with Lee Chilton slamming an effort wide from 12 yards after meeting Danny Newton's cross from the right.

United were desperately unlucky not to take the lead when Spencer Weir-Daley clipped an exquisite ball into the path of Miller who thumped his effort off the crossbar.

Breeden made routine saves to deny Miller and a Jamie McGhee free-kick, while Miller's downward header was also gathered comfortably by the Leamington keeper.

United stopper Lewis King was called into action to keep out a stinging Nathan Hicks drive after the Leamington man had broken virtually unopposed from a United corner.

The Pilgrims had two brilliant chances inside the opening 20 minutes of the second half, with Piergianni heading over the bar from McGhee's corner and repeating the feat, albeit going even closer, with a header from Ian Ross' flag-kick moments later.

United cranked up the pressure with Scott Garner added to their attack but with more men were piled forward, the Pilgrims were indebted to keeper King for an excellent save to deny Newton on the break.

Five minutes of stoppage time were added but the Brakes gradually ticked down the clock and once Weir-Daley's effort had cleared Breeden's bar, United knew their season was ending, barring a miracle during the last week of the campaign.

Leamington (4-2-3-1): Tony Breeden; Ryan Higgins, Liam Daly, James Mace, Stephan Morley; Craig Owen (Peter Till 78), Reece Flanagan; Aron Wint (Lee Moore 77), Nathan Hicks, Lee Chilton; Danny Newton (Ricky Johnson 85). Subs (not used): Matt Dodd, David McNamee.

Boston (4-1-3-2): Lewis King; Zak Mills, Scott Garner, Carl Piergianni, Rene Steer; Jay Dowie; Jamie McGhee (Stefan Galinski 63), Junior Konadu (Ian Ross 63), Ben Milnes (Ben Fairclough 85); Spencer Weir-Daley, Ricky Miller. Subs (not used): Indy Aujla, Andy Hewitt (gk).

Referee: Simon Barrow

Attendance: 792