Boston United 2-0 Tamworth

Dayle Southwell's 27th goal of the season a minute before half-time and Jake Hall's 85th minute clincher wrapped up three points for Dennis Greene's side against their nearest rivals.

United merited their victory, with Carl Piergianni also rattling the post during a wide open second half, in front of 1,792 spectators in the Easter sunshine.

The result left United four points above the Lambs with three matches to play.

United made a blistering start and could have taken the lead when Southwell blasted goalwards, only for Rob Purdie to execute a perfect goalline clearance.

There was another massive scramble in the Lambs' box which United denied on the line following Piergianni's initial header.

United survived their own scare when David Hibbert and Kayden Jackson were unable to convert from a melee and took the lead a minute before the break.

SOUTHWELL chased a near enough lost cause before cutting into the box and arrowing a great strike into James Belshaw's far corner.

Tamworth looked for an immediate response but skipper Paul Green could only drill wide from 12 yards.

United knew that a second goal after the break would potentially put the match to bed but Belshaw was in good form to keep out Southwell's dipping drive at the second attempt.

Piergianni headed against the post following Kyle Dixon's corner, while Southwell had a drive blocked and Kaine Felix crashed the rebound well wide.

Tamworth cranked up the pressure and substitute Leon Mettam's free-kick flew high and wide while ex-Pilgrim Shane Clarke miscued his header in front of goal when well-placed.

The Lambs had a glorious opportunity to level with 10 minutes to go when Mettam found himself clean through, but Liam Marrs rushed across to make a magnificent goal-saving block.

United's nerves were eased five minutes from the end when HALL flicked fellow sub Nicky Walker into the clear and arrived late into the box to smash home the resulting cutback.

Boston (4-4-2): Max Stryjek; Liam Marrs, Zak Mills, Carl Piergianni, Rene Steer; Kaine Felix, Scott Garner, Grant Roberts, Kyle Dixon (Nicky Walker 83); Dayle Southwell (Jake Hall 83), Mark Jones (Marc Newsham 56). Subs (not used): Louis Saebe, Ollie Price.

Tamworth (4-4-2): James Belshaw; Rob Purdie, Chris Smith, Dominic Smith, Tom James; Paul Green (Connor Taylor 81), Shane Clarke, Jon Adams (Reece Styche 84), Kevin Thornton; David Hibbert (Leon Mettam 60), Kayden Jackson. Subs (not used): Phil Trainer, Josh Sampson.

Referee: Ollie Yates.

Attendance: 1,792 (79 visitors).

PIC: Tim Hoff.