Rhead atoned eight minutes after the break when he powered home a close-range header to level the scoreline - and United survived the red card of Jake Wright Snr in the 78th minute to earn a point.

The sides traded early chances, with Danny Elliott forcing ex-Pilgrim George Willis into a smart save, while Dwayne Wiley headed wide from a Dayle Southwell corner for the Reds.

United were forced into a change four minutes before the break when Ntumba Massanka hobbled off to be replaced by James Hanson - and the Pilgrims led when SHIELS glanced home Hanson's return ball into the box, via a decisive touch off Rhead.

Alfreton equalised in the 53rd minute when RHEAD cushioned home a precise header after meeting Southwell's cross from the right.

Wright Snr earned his marching orders for a lunge on Danny Preston and although United went into survival mode, Brad Nicholson twice forced good saves from Willis as the Pilgrims chased an unlikely winner.

Alfreton (3-4-3): George Willis; Ritchie Sutton, Dominic Smith, Dwayne Wiley; Josh Clackstone, Adam Lund, Connor Branson, Danny Preston (Yusifu Ceesay 80); Dayle Southwell, Matt Rhead, Bailey Hobson. Subs (not used): Josh Askew, Milan Butterfield, Bobby Johnson, Alfie Smith-Eccles (gk).

Boston (3-4-1-2): Marcus Dewhurst; Luke Shiels, Jake Wright Snr, Brad Nicholson; Matt Tootle, Tom Platt, Shane Byrne, Joe Leesley; Scott Pollock (Brad Abbott 90); Ntumba Massanka (James Hanson 41, Scott Duxbury 90); Danny Elliott. Subs (not used): Andi Thanoj, Fraser Preston.

Referee: Kristian Silcock.

Attendance: 467.

PIC: Oliver Atkin.