Gainsborough Trinity 1-1 Boston United

Scott Garner got the Pilgrims off to a dream start at The Northolme with a goal inside two minutes and despite a string of chances to add to their lead, United were unable to take advantage.

Trinity stepped up a gear after the break and levelled through Jake Picton on 66 minutes.

The result extended United's unbeaten streak in competitive fixtures at The Northolme to 13 matches since a 2-1 league defeat in April 1996.

Dennis Greene named an unchanged line-up for the fourth match in a row and the Pilgrims were ahead inside 102 seconds.

Referee Gareth Mellor allowed an excellent advantage following a foul on Kaine Felix and the winger's right-wing cross was swept home by the onrushing GARNER from 18 yards.

A brilliant effort from Greg Tempest then narrowly cleared Jan Budtz's angle of bar and post.

United's dominance continued with Budtz denying Dayle Southwell with his chest before a magnificent block from ex-Pilgrim Dominic Roma denied Rene Steer at the back post.

Southwell's shot-on-the-turn subsequently crashed wide off Budtz's right-hand post and the Pilgrims were then indebted to their own keeper Joel Dixon for producing a terrific, reflex save to claw Liam Davis' header behind in first half stoppage time.

Trinity were a different proposition after half-time and once Carl Piergianni had headed wide from Zak Mills' long throw, the home side levelled with 21 minutes of the half played.

Centre-half PICTON had advanced upfield and cracked home a low 18-yarder which deflected beyond the reach of keeper Dixon.

Trinity had a glorious chance to take the lead when they countered rapidly following a United set-piece but Ciaran Toner's angled shot deflected agonisingly wide of the far post off Steer.

There were further opportunities for United with Southwell stabbing wide from 18 yards following Kyle Dixon's lung-busting run, while the Notts County loanee then fired wide himself with Piergianni running 70 yards to supply the ammunition.

Southwell's skidding effort flew wide from 20 yards, while Budtz had to take evasive action in stoppage time to divert Tempest's lofted ball behind for a corner.

Gainsborough (4-1-3-2): Jan Budtz; Dominic Roma, Jake Picton, Adam Quinn, Tom Davie; Charlie Binns; Simon Russell (Darryn Stamp 41), Ciaran Toner, Liam Davis; Paul Beesley, Curtis Bateson (Grant Roberts 49). Subs (not used): Chris Salt, Josh Lacey, Jake Park.

Boston (4-4-2): Joel Dixon; Liam Marrs (Conor Marshall 57), Zak Mills, Carl Piergianni, Rene Steer; Kaine Felix (Zeph Thomas 57), Scott Garner, Kyle Dixon, Greg Tempest; Dayle Southwell, Mark Jones. Subs (not used): Marc Newsham, Michael Hollingsworth, Sam Vince (gk).

Referee: Gareth Mellor.

Attendance: 616 (214 visitors).

PIC: David Shipman.