Boston United 2-3 Brackley Town

The Pilgrims trailed to Steve Diggin’s first half hat-trick but rallied strongly and came agonisingly close to securing a point.

Hilliard struck before the break before squandering a second half penalty, while Smith headed home with 25 minutes to go to set up a grandstand finale.

United handed a debut to Lincoln City loanee Taylor Miles and he was denied by a terrific Gareth Dean block inside the opening 10 minutes.

Miles then turned provider for Callum Chippendale to blast an effort over from distance.

Brackley took the lead in the 15th minute when James Armson’s downward header was blocked by Nat Brown and DIGGIN pounced to net the rebound.

Dion-Curtis Henry produced a top save to palm a further Armson effort behind, but Town were two goals to the good in the 22nd minute when DIGGIN tapped home at the back post following Glenn Walker’s enterprising play down the left.

Henry produced another fine stop to divert Lee Ndlovu’s long-range drive over the bar before Brackley added their third goal with 33 minutes played.

Joe Maguire was penalised for a tug on Alex Gudger’s shirt and DIGGIN sent Henry the wrong way from the spot to complete his hat-trick.

United reduced the arrears four minutes before the break when Smith headed down Courtney Wildin’s deep cross and HILLIARD prodded home from close-range.

Marcus Marshall and youth team graduate Harry Vince were introduced as half-time substitutes and United took the fight to Brackley after the break.

They were presented with a glorious opportunity to get themselves firmly back into proceedings when Smith tumbled under Glenn Walker’s challenge, but Hilliard’s spot-kick was beaten aside by Laurie Walker in the Town goal.

United did get the crucial fifth goal when Hilliard delivered the perfect cross from the right and SMITH obliged with a towering header at the back post.

Brackley gradually re-asserted themselves and Henry had to make saves to deny Diggin and Dean as United clung on.

United thought redemption had arrived in the 89th minute when Smith crashed an effort goalwards, after Marshall had headed on Ben Gordon’s cross, but Laurie Walker made a save of the season contender to win his side all three points.

Boston (4-3-3): Dion-Curtis Henry; Kalern Thomas, Joe Maguire, Nat Brown, Ben Gordon; Callum Chippendale (Harry Vince 46), Taylor Miles (Waide Fairhurst 68), Lewis Hilliard; Jay Rollins, Gregg Smith, Courtney Wildin (Marcus Marshall 46). Subs (not used): Cameron Johnson, Michael Emery (gk).

Brackley (4-4-2): Laurie Walker; Ellis Myles, Luke Graham, Gareth Dean, Alex Gudger; Glenn Walker, Shane Byrne, James Armson (Matt Lowe 80), Adam Walker; Lee Ndlovu (Lee Cox 90), Steve Diggin (David Moyo 82). Subs (not used): Lewis Rankin, David Pitt.

Referee: Richard Wild.

Attendance: 1,062 (39 visitors).