Sam Osborne had fired the Pilgrims into a 10th minute lead, while the hosts were reduced to 10 men after the break when Scott Quigley was red-carded for kicking out at Kieran Coates.

With captain Michael Bostwick suspended and on-loan Norwich City midfielder Finley Welch sidelined through injury, manager Ian Culverhouse made three changes ahead of kick-off.

The Pilgrims were rewarded for a vibrant start when Pemi Aderoju and Kieran Coates linked up to supply OSBORNE with a shooting opportunity from 18 yards - and United's number 21 made no mistake with a precise low finish beyond Joe McDonnell.

United worked hard to keep the hosts at bay - with Eastleigh struggling to create meaningful opportunities during a first half where the Pilgrims put together plenty moves of note.

The Spitfires' afternoon took a further turn for the worse when Quigley kicked Coates off the ball and was dismissed following the intervention of eagle-eyed fourth official Lewis Sandoe.

Cameron Green was denied by McDonnell, before Eastleigh hotshot Paul McCallum crashed the post with an effort-on-the-turn.

Osborne had a terrific chance to finish the match off in the first minute of added time, but was denied by a brilliant Angel Waruih block, diving in front of goalkeeper McDonnell.

Waruih's interception proved to be the turning point, with United failing to deal with a McCallum long throw-in and Hazel kicking MAGUIRE as he cut across his path - with the Eastleigh substitute stepping up to chip the resulting spot-kick down the middle and earn his side arguably an undeserved point.

Eastleigh (3-5-2): Joe McDonnell; Luis Fernandez (Jai Semenyo 83), Ludwig Francillette, Niall Maher (Corey Panter 46); Tyrese Shade, Lloyd Humphries (Chris Maguire 46), Angel Waruih, Lee Hodson, Noa Boutin (Jake Vokins 46); Paul McCallum, Scott Quigley. Subs (not used): Dominic Gape, Wes McDonald, Tommy Scott (gk).

Boston (4-4-2): Aidan Stone; Kieran Coates, Jai Rowe, Zak Mills, Cameron Green; Sam Osborne (Martin Woods 90), Jordan Richards, Dylan Hill, Keaton Ward; Pemi Aderoju (Jacob Hazel 84), Adam Marriott (Frankie Maguire 72). Subs (not used): Tom Leak, Harvey Tomlinson, Jude Frostick, Ellis Craven (gk).

Referee: James Oldham.

Attendance: 1,942 (169 visitors).

PIC: Graham Scambler.