The Pilgrims were fortunate to be only goal behind at the break - scored by Ollie Pearce seven minutes before half-time - but United were a different animal in the second half and responded through Alex Lankshear and Connor Teale, after Ollie Banks' red card for York.

The Minstermen snatched a leveller in the seventh minute of additional time through Josh Stones to ensure a festive stalemate, in front of a huge 7,935 crowd, including 459 travelling Pilgrims.

Killian Barrett had been prefer between the posts - United's fifth successive goalkeeping change - while Matty Carson was employed from the start too.

Barrett - and Jordan Richards - were called upon to block efforts in the second minute, before Alex Newby cut infield to arrow a low drive narrowly wide. The onslaught continued with Banks seeing an effort blocked, with Newby rattling the rebound against the crossbar.

PEARCE finally broke United's dogged rearguard action by turning home Joe Grey's inviting ball from the right in the 38th minute.

Barrett made a crucial double save to deny Stones before the break - keeping the Pilgrims in the contest ahead of their spirited second half comeback.

Marcel Lavinier was a prominent presence down the United right after the break and provided Frankie Maguire with two shooting opportunities - both of which ended up wide.

Banks received his marching orders when referee Gareth Thomas adjudged him to have committed serious foul play in his challenge with Lankshear, who was roundly booed by the home fans for the remainder of the contest, despite being the innocent party.

It was ironic, therefore, that LANKSHEAR picked his spot to bend home a right-footed equaliser, off the inside of Harrison Male's far post, after meeting Lavinier's deep cross from the right.

United were in dreamland when Maguire and sub Ken Aboh played a short corner, with the latter whizzing in a cross-shot which was thumped home by the head of TEALE at the near post.

After Adam Crowther was well-positioned to hack Mark Kitching's header off the line midway through stoppage time, STONES latched on to a long ball over the top in the final of seven added minutes to break United hearts - despite being grateful for a point at half-time.

York (3-4-1-2): Harrison Male; Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Callum Howe, Mark Kitching; Joe Grey (Joe Felix 88), Dan Batty (Greg Olley 88), Alex Hunt, Alex Newby (Hiram Boateng 79); Ollie Banks; Josh Stones, Ollie Pearce. Subs (not used): Ben Brookes, Craig Hewitt, Zak Johnson, George Sykes-Kenworthy (gk).

Boston (3-4-2-1): Killian Barrett; Oisin Gallagher, Adam Crowther, Alex Lankshear; Marcel Lavinier, Jordan Richards, Greg Sloggett, Matty Carson (Connor Teale 46); Dylan Hill (Ken Aboh 79), Frankie Maguire; Lenell John-Lewis. Subs (not used): Kieren Donnelly, Jordy Hiwula, Tommy Fogarty, Liam Waldock, Rhys Lovett (gk).

Referee: Gareth Thomas.

Attendance: 7,935 (459 visitors).

PIC: Chris Bray.