Fairclough struck on 66 minutes to send Kettering Town to defeat after a keenly-contested encounter between two old rivals.

Both teams had chances, but United prevailed to book a place in Monday's third qualifying round draw.

In the 50th competitive meeting between the sides, Boston named an unchanged line-up from the one which had defeated Chester FC seven days previously. There were places on a seven-man bench for fit-again striker Mark Jones, youth team hotshot Jordan Nuttell and reserve goalkeeper Ricky Drury.

United battled hard to stamp their mark on proceedings against a direct Kettering side who utilised the torpedo-like long throw-ins of Ed Palmer and Oscar Radford at every opportunity.

Neat play from Jason Stokes early on teed up Ian Ross, but he stepped inside to drill wide of Laurie Walker’s far post.

Spencer Weir-Daley raced through on the end of Marc Newsham’s pass and the crowd held their breath as his lob dropped over Walker — and the bar.

Kettering were more prominent after the break, but it was still the Pilgrims who created the better openings.

Fairclough’s driven cross-shot flashed inches wide, with Weir-Daley unable to apply a finishing touch. Newsham’s arrowing header than cannoned back off the crossbar following Gary Silk’s deep cross.

United finally took the lead in the 66th minute when FAIRCLOUGH lashed the ball home, across Walker, following Weir-Daley’s neat control, spin and cross.

Boston attempted to kill off the tie quickly and came close to achieving that objective when Newsham met Jones’ cross, but Walker made a terrific save.

Kettering tried to respond and Haystead excelled to keep out David Mayo’s deflected shot, before parrying Palmer’s header following a Phil Ifil free-kick.

United gradually saw out time and were denied further goals by resolute Kettering defending. Ifil’s block thwarted Weir-Daley, who was in turn denied by Walker from the follow-up, while Jones headed wide from a late Ross flag-kick.

Boston (4-4-2): Dan Haystead; Gary Silk, Tom Ward, Nathan Stainfield, Gareth Jelleyman; Ben Fairclough, Ben Milnes, Ian Ross, Jason Stokes (Mark Jones 46); Spencer Weir-Daley, Marc Newsham. Subs (not used): Conor Marshall, James Reed, Korey Dyer-Stewart, Jordan Nuttell, Kallum Smith, Ricky Drury (gk).

Kettering (4-4-2): Laurie Walker; Phil Ifil, Ben Gerring, Oscar Radford, Joe Lamplough; Andrew Burns, Ed Palmer, Michael King (Ryan Hervel 22, Will Blazio 74), David Mayo; Pacome Gele, Warren Byerley. Sub (not used): Jamie Griffiths.

Referee: Adrian Sannerude