United were indebted to Cameron Gregory's 77th minute penalty save to deny Will Davies, who had earlier equalised Jai Rowe's bullet header which handed had the Pilgrims a 23rd minute lead.

It was another crucial result for Graham Coughlan's side, who started brightly but saw early half-chances for debutant Kain Adom and striker Ashley Nadesan deflect off target for the visitors.

The Pilgrims took the lead just past the mid-point of the half with ROWE rising highest to thump a close-range header past Jack Sims, following Brad Nicholson's huge throw from the left.

Sims subsequently beat aside a rising drive from Cameron Green, but the away side were level in the 29th minute when DAVIES headed home Lewis Simper's free-kick delivery, via the inside of the post.

Boston played against the wind after the break and found the going tough. Coughlan introduced a variety of substitutes but it was Sutton who were presented with the perfect chance to break the deadlock when Zak Mills was adjudged to have fouled Davies, who in turn was brilliantly denied from the spot by a diving Gregory.

With the match seemingly heading for a point apiece, GALE won a free-kick wide on the United right - which he ended up bouncing into the back of the net after Green's free-kick delivery had been recycled - sparking pandemonium in the stands at the Jakemans Community Stadium.

Boston (3-5-2): Cameron Gregory; Connor Teale, Zak Mills, Brad Nicholson; Jai Rowe, Dylan Hill (Greg Sloggett 70), Jordan Richards, Frankie Maguire (Keaton Ward 70), Cameron Green; Jimmy Knowles (James Gale 70), Jacob Hazel (Adam Marriott 85). Subs (not used): Noah Wadsworth, Olly Green, Jake Lovelace (gk).

Sutton (3-4-1-2): Jack Sims; Tyler French, Jack Taylor (Harry Ransom 45), Besart Topallaj; Kain Adom (Ryan Jackson 52), Finley Barbrook, Alex Woodyard (Siju Odelusi 70), Eduino Vaz; Lewis Simper; Will Davies, Ashley Nadesan. Subs (not used): Nana Boateng, Jack Wadham, Vinnie Tume, Matt Kerbey (gk).

Referee: Richard Aspinall.

Attendance: 2,302 (120 visitors).

PIC: Russell Dossett.