Boston United 1-0 Gainsborough Trinity

Mills' 45th minute header sunk visitors Gainsborough Trinity and settled the 150th meeting of the sides.

United had an abundance of chances after the break but were unable to convert the supremacy into a wider winning margin.

Lewis Hilliard and John Sands came into the starting XI which had been defeated by Lowestoft Town on Boxing Day, with Mark Jones and Ryan Robbins making way.

Scott Garner's early header was not far wide following Mills' towering throw, while Sands' close-range drive was brilliantly blocked by Josh Lacey with Mills' long throws continuing to cause problems for Trinity.

Gainsborough came alive before the break, with a tremendous covering challenge from Grant Roberts required to deny ex-Pilgrim Marc Newsham a near certain goal following Henrich Ravas' poor kick being seized upon by Nathan Jarman.

Jarman then went even closer when his acrobatic effort flew narrowly wide for Trinity.

Jarman inadvertently played his part in United's opener on the stroke of half-time. He was penalised for handball outside the box and once Hilliard had delivered the free-kick, MILLS wriggled free to head home from close-range.

United had an array of chances after half-time. Carl Piergianni ghosted in to bullet Mills' throw wide, before Mills himself rampaged down the United right before cutting inside and firing over the bar on his left foot.

Successive Hilliard shots were charged to safety while Mills' long throw caused more problems and Garner shovelled wide of the near post from close-range. Sands then lifted his effort over the bar following Kaine Felix's cutback.

Jarman screwed a shot well wide at the other end following Jamie Yates' deep cross before blocking a shot from his own team-mate Liam Davis on the stroke of 90 minutes.

Boston (4-4-2): Henrich Ravas; Zak Mills, Scott Garner, Carl Piergianni, Liam Marrs; Kaine Felix (Cameron Johnson 89), Jordan Richards, Grant Roberts, Jay Rollins (Mark Jones 67); John Sands (Ryan Robbins 87), Lewis Hilliard. Subs (not used): Harry Limb, Jason Alexander (gk).

Gainsborough (4-3-3): Jan Budtz; Josh Lacey, Dominic Roma, Jake Picton, Stephen Brogan; Simon Russell, Charlie Binns (Liam Davis 61), Jonathan D'Laryea; Adam Drury (Jamie Yates 46), Marc Newsham (Darryn Stamp 89), Nathan Jarman. Subs (not used): Lynton Karkach, Jonathan Hedge (gk).

Referee: Josh Smith.

Attendance: 1,889 (86 visitors).