Ashley Hemmings and substitute Tyrell Waite had been denied by excellent saves from visiting Nuneaton Town keeper Dean Lyness in the second half but the Pilgrims fell behind a minute from time when Boro substitute Mitchell Glover scored with his first touch.

McGowan converted Gregg Smith's knockdown following James Clifton's corner in the second minute of added time to restore parity and ensure both sides ended August with seven points from seven matches.

It was Jack Broadhead, making his first home start since April, who had the Pilgrims’ best chances of the first half.

He stabbed wide at the back post following Clifton’s deep free-kick, had a further effort cleared off the line following a Hemmings corner and then nodded wide following another Clifton flag-kick.

Peterborough United loanee Jordan Nicholson had been Boro’s biggest threat in the opening stages, sending one cross-shot out of play before forcing George Willis into a smart save from distance.

Town went close again before the break with ex-Pilgrim Courtney Wildin’s left-wing cross being bundled wide by Ashley Chambers at the back post.

United were on the front foot after the break and Broadhead’s fourth chance of the afternoon ended up in the hands of Lyness following a flick on the end of Clifton’s long throw-in.

Lyness produced a good save to keep out Hemmings’ goalbound drive but saved his best for later when he got down superbly to palm aside Waite’s effort which was destined for the bottom corner.

In between times, Chambers angled one effort wide before seeing another shot deflect wide off McGowan, while Willis excelled to keep out Brady Hickey’s firm header from 12 yards.

The match sprang into life with seconds to play. Substitute GLOVER got on the end of Tom Elliott’s cross from the right to fire Boro into a seemingly unassailable lead but McGOWAN had other ideas when he stabbed the ball home at the other end after Smith had nodded down Clifton’s corner.

Boston (4-4-2): George Willis; James Clifton, Jordan Keane, Brad McGowan, Jan Yeomans; Jay Rollins, Adam Chapman, Jack Broadhead, Ashley Hemmings (Tyrell Waite 69); Gregg Smith, Kabongo Tshimanga (Harry Vince 60). Subs (not used): Taron Hare, Karl Hawley, Jamie McGuire.

Nuneaton (4-4-2): Dean Lyness; Luther Wildin, Brad Gascoigne, Niall Heaton, Courtney Wildin; Alex Henshall (Callum Ball 46), Tom Elliott, Ryan Beswick, Brady Hickey; Ashley Chambers, Jordan Nicholson (Mitchell Glover 88). Subs (not used): Michael Tweed, Jon Ashton, Elliott Taylor (gk).

Referee: Ricky Wootton.

Attendance: 1,020 (55 visitors).