Boston United 1-1 Curzon Ashton

Knowles headed home Sam Smart’s 28th minute cross to hand the Pilgrims a half-time lead against Curzon Ashton.

It looked like being enough until Devon Matthews headed an equaliser seven minutes from time.

Pilgrims' supremo Ian Culverhouse had once again opted for an unchanged starting XI, although the bench was bolstered by the returns of Martin Woods and Zak Mills from injury.

The Pilgrims made much of the early running and an early Deji Sotona effort rifled into the side-netting, while two Jacob Hazel efforts flew off target. The first save of the game, however, was made by Aaron Chapman, with a fine, low stop to deny Rhys Hughes.

United edged ahead when Smart stretched to deliver a telling ball from the right and KNOWLES got up highest to angle a header back across goal and beyond the dive of Cameron Mason.

Smart and Hazel both saw further chances go begging before the break.

Curzon were livelier after half-time, but United had a handful of opportunities to kill off the contest after winning possession back in the opposing half. Jai Rowe let fly from distance, with Knowles diverting the ball wide with his head, while Hazel was denied by Mason after intercepting a backpass.

Stefan Mols fired a warning shot for the visitors with a near post header dropping wide from a Will Hayhurst corner, but Curzon did draw level with seven minutes to play with MATTHEWS meeting Jordan Richards' free-kick with a firm header.

Mason was forced into routine saves late on to deny Brad Nicholson and substitute Kelsey Mooney, but the visitors held on to their point without too many scares.

Boston (4-4-2): Aaron Chapman; Jai Rowe, Michael Bostwick, Tom Leak, Brad Nicholson; Sam Smart (Kelsey Mooney 82), Jordan Richards, Keziah Martin, Deji Sotona; Jimmy Knowles, Jacob Hazel. Subs (not used): Keaton Ward, Martin Woods, Michael Gyasi, Zak Mills.

Curzon (3-4-2-1): Cameron Mason; Marcus Poscha, George Waring, Devon Matthews; Jordan Richards, Adam Barton, Alex Kenyon (Hayden Campbell 64), Will Hayhurst (Jamie Allen 80); Stefan Mols (Miles Storey 80), Rhys Hughes; Jimmy Spencer. Subs (not used): Luke Taylor, Craig Mahon.

Referee: Harry Jones.

Attendance: 1,600 (33 visitors).

PIC: Tim Hoff.