Gloucester City 0-1 Boston United

Jones settled a tense encounter with a 76th minute drive to sink a resilient City outfit battling hard to avoid relegation.

In a game of few chances, City hit the post through Sahr Kabba during the first period and the match looked likely to finish goalless until Jones' late intervention.

Coupled with favourable results elsewhere, United moved to within two points of the top five with a game in hand over Hednesford Town in fifth.

It ensured Dennis Greene's 100th game in charge of the Pilgrims was marked with his 46th victory to date.

The Pilgrims, with new signing Jake Sheridan on the bench, made the early running at Whaddon Road, with home keeper Paul White required to make an outstanding save to deny Jones from close-range following Kaine Felix's cross from the right. Dayle Southwell planted the rebound over the bar.

Carl Piergianni subsequently sent a header wide following Nicky Walker's corner. Walker had emerged from the bench moments earlier to replace the injured Zak Mills.

City came close to breaking the deadlock a minute before the break when Kabba's fierce drive bounced to safety off the post.

Chances remained in short supply, although Southwell's drive skipped wide following an excellent Felix burst down the right.

There was a further chance for City, with Ross Staley smashing an 18-yarder over the bar after United had failed to clear a Billy Jones set-piece.

The game's defining moment arrived with 14 minutes to play when James Bowen failed to clear Rene Steer's probing cross and JONES swooped to slam home the loose ball from 12 yards.

There were few scares for the Pilgrims late on and once Max Stryjek had grabbed Tom Webb's deflected drive in stoppage time, United were able to celebrate a crucial three-point haul.

Gloucester (3-5-2): Paul White; Sam Avery, Matt Williams, Billy Jones; Mike Green, Chris Knowles, Tom Webb, Ross Staley (Femi Orenuga 72), James Bowen (Mo Diop 83); Harry Williams (Harry White 65), Sahr Kabba. Subs (not used): Marc Richards, Adam Connolly.

Boston (4-4-2): Max Stryjek; Liam Marrs, Zak Mills (Nicky Walker 29), Carl Piergianni, Rene Steer; Kaine Felix, Scott Garner, Grant Roberts, Kyle Dixon; Dayle Southwell (Jake Sheridan 80), Mark Jones (Ollie Price 89). Subs (not used): Marc Newsham, Louis Saebe.

Referee: Michael D'Aguilar.

Attendance: 378.

PIC: Tim Hoff.