Gainsborough Trinity 1-2 Boston United

The Pilgrims, who lost the services of skipper Gregg Smith to a serious injury during the second period, overturned James Reid's 20th minute penalty for the hosts.

Jay Rollins equalised three minutes later and Robinson headed the deciding goal in the final minute of normal time.

United handed a debut to former Worcester City and AFC Telford United midfielder Joe Fitzpatrick, while Rollins earned a recall too.

Chances were at a premium in the opening stages at The Northolme, with Lewis Hilliard blasting an early sighter well wide.

Hilliard was subsequently denied by a flying George Willis save, with the Trinity keeper then thwarting Smith on the follow-up.

The hosts were awarded a penalty with 20 minutes played, as referee Garreth Rhodes spotted an apparent handball offence, and REID crashed home the spot-kick beyond the dive of Ross Durrant.

The lead was short-lived though, with ROLLINS blasting goalwards three minutes later and seeing his 25-yarder squirm past Willis.

Trinity should have re-asserted their lead when Reid arrived at the back post to meet Noel Burdett’s cross, but he ballooned his effort too high.

Willis made spectacular saves to deny United in successive attacks at the beginning of the second half. He palmed Robinson’s header over the bar for a corner before spreading majestically to keep out Hilliard’s firm drive following Rollins’ cutback.

Smith saw his audacious chip tipped over by Willis but his afternoon — and potentially his season — was over less than a minute later when he landed awkwardly. He was stretchered off to a standing applause and was duly replaced by Lamin Colley.

Shane Clarke made his long-awaited return to United colours as a 76th minute substitute and the match appeared to be petering out into a draw until its dramatic finale.

Jordan Thewlis fired an effort fractionally wide for Trinity but United won it when ROBINSON got up highest to head home Callum Chippendale’s free-kick and spark jubilant scenes in front of the 320-strong travelling army.

Gainsborough (4-2-3-1): George Willis; Josh Lacey, Ioan Evans, Adam Quinn, Brad Beatson; Adam Chapman (Matthew Templeton 81); Laurie Wilson; Jordan Thewlis, James Reid (Matt Thornhill 70), Noel Burdett; Ashley Worsfold (Nathan Jarman 89). Subs (not used): Gavin Rothery, Alex Wiles.

Boston (4-3-3): Ross Durrant; Kalern Thomas, Josh Robinson, Tom Batchelor, Ben Gordon; Joe Fitzpatrick, Charlie Gatter (Shane Clarke 76), Lewis Hilliard (Callum Chippendale 57); Marcus Marshall, Gregg Smith (Lamin Colley 67), Jay Rollins. Subs (not used): Ben Clappison, Waide Fairhurst.

Referee: Garreth Rhodes.

Attendance: 1,005 (320 visitors).