The match remained finely-poised until Rhys Lovett inexplicably air-kicked as he attempt to clear a ball over the top and Aaron Blair stabbed home the winning goal 13 minutes into the second period.

United were seeking a positive response to their 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Brackley Town on Tuesday evening - and their purposeful start was rewarded in the ninth minute when SLOGGETT crashed the ball home after Frankie Maguire's free-kick had seen Lenell John-Lewis denied at close quarters by Lloyd Humphries.

Nick Townsend had already denied Oisin Gallagher before Sloggett's goal - and later kept out efforts from Maguire and Kieren Donnelly, with Gallagher subsequently slamming the rebound wide.

The Spitfires levelled in the 25th minute when Archie Harris delivered a pinpoint cross from the left and SAUNDERS got between Adam Crowther and Alex Lankshear to power a close-range header past Lovett.

Townsend denied Lankshear after the break - but United's grandstand finale never unfolded after falling behind.

The game's defining moment arrived in the 58th minute when Josh Lundstram hooked a ball over the top for BLAIR to run through and beat Lovett, who had charged out of his area to no avail, and roll it past the stranded United keeper.

Boston (4-3-1-2): Rhys Lovett; Marcel Lavinier (Matty Carson 44), Adam Crowther, Connor Teale, Alex Lankshear; Oisin Gallagher, Jordan Richards, Greg Sloggett; Frankie Maguire (Jordy Hiwula 88); Lenell John-Lewis, Kieren Donnelly (Ken Aboh 63). Subs (not used): Dylan Hill, Tommy Fogarty, Liam Waldock, Killian Barrett (gk).

Eastleigh (3-4-1-2): Nick Townsend; Lloyd Humphries, Aaron Pierre, Temi Eweka; Sam Pearson (Luey Giles 64), Kieron Evans, James Waite (Will Spiers 64), Archie Harris; Josh Lundstram (Angel Wariuh 88); Aaron Blair, Harvey Saunders (Paul McCallum 64). Subs (not used): Luis Fernandez, Niall Maher, Josh McNamara (gk).

Referee: Dean Watson.

Attendance: 1,678 (69 visitors).

PIC: Chris Bray.