FC United of Manchester 2-1 Boston United

The Pilgrims trailed 2-0 at half-time courtesy of Nathan Lowe’s debatable eighth minute penalty and Connor McCarthy’s strike eight minutes before the break.

Gregg Smith and Brad McGowan were dismissed within a 12-minute spell to effectively kill off United’s hopes of a comeback, although the nine man battled valiantly and reduced the arrears in the 89th minute through skipper Adam Chapman.

United boss Adam Murray had made seven changes ahead of kick-off, with Jay Rollins included after sealing his return to the club late on Friday afternoon.

The Pilgrims fell behind when referee Leigh Doughty adjudged that McGowan had fouled LOWE, just inside the box, and he picked himself up to stroke the subsequent penalty past George Willis.

United mustered a strong response and Smith’s drive deflected wide following a well-worked Ashley Hemmings corner. Lloyd Allinson in the FCUM goal then denied Rollins on his return to the United XI.

Hemmings sent a further snapshot wide and Smith fired an angled drive off target following an incisive pass from Mason Warren.

The Pilgrims were caught out by a long ball in the 37th minute and McCARTHY ran on to fire past an exposed Willis in the United goal.

United’s afternoon took a further turn for the worse less than 50 seconds into the second period when Doughty hoisted the red card after Smith flew in on Scott Kay.

If Smith’s red card was clear-cut, the decision to dismiss McGowan in the 58th minute was much less straightforward. He tussled with Jason Gilchrist as the pair ran towards the United goal but with the ball not under control and covering defenders in the vicinity, Boston were stunned when the red card came out again.

It was effectively game over but the Pilgrims battled manfully to restrict their hosts to only one further chance of note in the final 35 minutes including stoppage time, with substitute James Hooper rattling the crossbar from 25 yards.

Having already seen an angled drive charged to safety by Jordan Fagbola, Kabongo Tshimanga turned provider in the final minute of normal time when he laid the ball on a plate for the onrushing CHAPMAN to stab home.

The Pilgrims were unable to carve out a further opening though and FC United held on.

FC United (4-4-2): Lloyd Allinson; Danny Brady (Joel Senior 77), Jordan Fagbola, Matt Hughes, Danny Wisdom; Craig Lindfield, Scott Kay, Nathan Lowe, Connor McCarthy; Michael Connor (Steve Irwin 66), Jason Gilchrist (James Hooper 66). Subs (not used): Tom Greaves, Joel Logan.

Boston (4-4-1-1): George Willis; James Clifton, Jack Cowgill (Jordan Keane 46), Brad McGowan, Jan Yeomans; Jay Rollins (Jack Broadhead 60), Adam Chapman, Jamie McGuire, Ashley Hemmings; Mason Warren (Kabongo Tshimanga 54); Gregg Smith. Subs (not used): Taron Hare, Tyrell Waite.

Referee: Leigh Doughty.

Attendance: 1,688.