Boston United 3-2 Alfreton Town

Smith powered home Liam Agnew's cross three minutes into stoppage time to seal a 3-2 win after Agnew himself had drawn United level from the spot a minute from time.

Strikes from Craig Westcarr and Ryan Wilson had earlier sandwiched a Jay Rollins reply as Alfreton came mightily close to a first-ever win at The Jakemans Stadium.

Former Pilgrim Fabian Spiess was called upon to make the game’s first save in the 10th minute when he tipped a Rollins drive over the bar following a Jason St Juste cross from the left.

Alfreton threatened with Ryan Wilson cutting infield to bend a swerving effort marginally wide of Dion-Curtis Henry’s far post at the mid-point of the half.

The visitors took the lead eight minutes before the break — moments after Waide Fairhurst had touched home Smith’s header, only for the big frontman to be penalised for a push.

WESTCARR seized upon hesitancy from Joe Magure and Lewis Hilliard to calmly stroke the ball beyond Henry and into the far corner from 18 yards.

Henry kept the Pilgrims in the contest on the stroke of half-time, parrying Sam Smith’s effort after Wilson’s corner had only been partially cleared.

United levelled on 56 minutes when St Juste motored down the left before driving a cross-shot goalwards which was touched home on the line by ROLLINS.

Parity was shortlived though and Alfreton re-established their lead a minute past the hour mark when WILSON drove through a crowd of bodies after St Juste had cleared Adam Priestley’s initial effort off the line.

Spiess produced saves to deny Lamin Colley, Fairhurst and Agnew as time ticked on, but United found redemption when Cameron Johnson was fouled by Niall Heaton and a penalty was awarded.

Sam Edmundson was sent off for his vocal protests and AGNEW calmly beat Spiess with a driven spot-kick to level the scores.

With the 10 men retreating, United took full advantage and SMITH rose majestically to bullet home Agnew’s delightful cross three minutes into stoppage time and spark jubilant scenes of celebration around The Jakemans Stadium.

Boston (4-4-2): Dion-Curtis Henry; Marcus Marshall (Lamin Colley 63), Joe Maguire, Joe Robinson, Jason St Juste; Joe Burgess (Ollie Price 46); Liam Agnew, Lewis Hilliard; Jay Rollins; Waide Fairhurst (Cameron Johnson 85), Gregg Smith. Subs (not used): Jack McMillan, Courtney Wildin.

Alfreton (3-4-3): Fabian Spiess; Brad McGowan, Sam Edmundson, Niall Heaton; Ryan Wilson, Todd Jordan, Andy Monkhouse, Tom Allan; Craig Westcarr (Terry Kennedy 90), Sam Smith (Paul Clayton 60), Adam Priestley (Evan Garnett 70). Sub (not used): Sam Ottley.

Referee: Matthew Buonassisi.

Attendance: 926 (40 visitors).