Boston United 2-0 Worcester City

Jones opened the scoring with an eighth minute header and Southwell sealed the points with a crucial second two minutes from time.

The result left United fifth and one of four teams on 63 points heading into the final month of the regulation season.

United's win was fully merited with three efforts rattling Ryan Boot's crossbar and the visiting keeper playing a starring role in keeping the Pilgrims at bay for much of the afternoon.

Boston, with Zak Mills and Jake Sheridan preferred to Grant Roberts and Nicky Walker from the start, took the lead after eight minutes when Southwell found a yard of space to cross from the left and JONES expertly headed home from midway inside the Worcester box.

Southwell had two good chances to add to the Pilgrims' lead but was initially denied by a sprawling Boot save and then clipped the bar with a further effort.

United saw three good chances go begging, with Boot denying Jones, Southwell heading the follow-up against the bar and Sheridan skying the rebound.

Boot then made a stunning save to keep out Carl Piergianni's header from a Kyle Dixon free-kick.

The second half was a nervy and tense affair although it was United who continued to create. Southwell's drive from 20 yards narrowly cleared Boot's crossbar while the City keeper made a miraculous save with his legs to deny Southwell following substitute Walker's unselfish assist.

It was then Walker's turn to smack the bar following Jones' right-wing cross.

City had failed to muster a single effort on target all afternoon but twice went close in the 82nd minute. Kyle Haynes' teasing right-wing cross narrowly evaded sub Aaron Brown and then Sean Geddes' corner bounced over off the back of Daniel Nti's head.

United secured the points when Anthony Charles fluffed his clearance in the City box and SOUTHWELL applied the crucial finishing touch to alleviate any stoppage time nerves.

Boston (4-4-2): Max Stryjek; Liam Marrs, Zak Mills, Carl Piergianni, Rene Steer; Kaine Felix, Scott Garner, Kyle Dixon, Jake Sheridan (Nicky Walker 27); Dayle Southwell, Mark Jones. Subs (not used): Marc Newsham, Louis Saebe, Grant Roberts, Sam Vince (gk).

Worcester (4-4-2): Ryan Boot; Jacob Rowe, Rob Elvins, Anthony Charles, Tyler Weir (Joao Sousa 81); Kyle Haynes, Jay Denny (Tristian Dunkley 66), Ellis Deeney, Sean Geddes; Mike Symons (Aaron Brown 58), Daniel Nti. Subs (not used): Michael Taylor, Jose Veiga (gk).

Referee: Ricky Wootton.

Attendance: 1,357 (36 visitors).

PIC: Tim Hoff.