The Evo-Stik Division One North high-flyers took the lead through Kenny Strickland on 51 minutes, with Spencer Weir-Daley levelling for the Pilgrims 13 minutes later.

Skelmersdale were reduced to 10 men when Antony Hickey was sent off but held on despite a late Boston onslaught.

The sides will meet again at the West Lancashire College Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Jason Lee had opted to name an unchanged line-up, with Weir-Daley and Gary Silk returning to form the basis of a strong-looking bench.

Marc Newsham had an early drive tipped wide of the far post by former FC United of Manchester keeper Sam Ashton.

Skelmersdale's best chances of the first half fell to Rob McIntosh, who had a drive hacked away by Tom Ward following a Strickland corner, before Haystead saved low down to deny Gary Burnett.

Skem took the lead six minutes after half-time. Haystead had saved well to thwart Burnett and STRICKLAND seized upon Ward's clearance to lift an angled effort high to the keeper's left.

United responded by throwing on Weir-Daley and winger Jason Stokes and the former had an almost immediate impact.

James Reed shrugged off the challenge of McIntosh to free WEIR-DALEY and he finished with aplomb, low to Ashton's left.

United's cause was aided three minutes later when referee Sarah Garratt, who enjoyed an excellent game, hoisted a red card at Hickey following a high challenge on Newsham.

Set-piece specialist Louis Corrigan curled a 20-yard free-kick a fraction wide moments later, but the closing stages belonged to United.

Newsham's glancing header from an Ian Ross cross flew too high, while Ashton held a low Stokes drive.

Skem did threaten once again when McIntosh headed against the bar, but the visitors were subsequently grateful to Ashton for earning a replay.

He denied Reed with a sprawling close-range save, before tipping Ross' dipping volley on to the crossbar and over for a corner.

Ashton then grabbed Nathan Stainfield's downward header from Ross' corner as the Pilgrims were left to contemplate the long midweek journey to deepest Lancashire.

Boston (4-3-3): Dan Haystead; Conor Marshall, Tom Ward, Nathan Stainfield, Gareth Jelleyman; James Reed, Ian Ross, Ben Milnes; Ben Fairclough (Jason Stokes 59), Mark Jones (Spencer Weir-Daley 59), Marc Newsham. Subs (not used): Gary Silk, Kallum Smith, Ricky Drury (gk).

Skelmersdale (4-4-2): Sam Ashton; Lewis Field, Tom Hardwick, Rob McIntosh, Louis Corrigan; Antony Hickey, Paul Woolcott, Kenny Strickland, Warren Bellew (Mark Houghton 74); Mark Jackson (Aaron Turner 74), Gary Burnett. Subs (not used): Adam Morning, Jamil Saleh, Marcus Burgess (gk).

Referee: Sarah Garratt