Boston United 3-3 Curzon Ashton

The Pilgrims, who were dominant throughout, remarkably found themselves two goals behind at the break courtesy of Jake Dunwoody and Danny Shaw headers, and Ben McKenna added a third just past the hour mark.

United responded magnificently and Abbott's brace, either side of Reece Thompson's strike, ensured Craig Elliott's unbeaten home league run in the Boston hotseat continued.

Kabongo Tshimanga had been awarded a rare start in the United attack, with Gregg Smith relegated to the bench in the process.

The visitors took the lead with four minutes played when McKenna did fantastically to cross from the Curzon right and DUNWOODY arrived to plant a firm header beyond the grasp of Jon Stewart.

United had already gone close through Ashley Hemmings, driving across goal, while Shaw blocked well to deny Tshimanga.

Visiting stopper Cameron Mason took centre stage with four excellent saves. He denied Abbott from distance, Thompson on the angle, Andi Thanoj from outside the box and then another flying catch to keep out Thompson’s looping header.

United were hit by the classic sucker-punch on the stroke of half-time when Sam Walker delivered a pinpoint free-kick delivery and SHAW ghosted in to head home at the back post.

The Pilgrims took the fight to their opponents again after the break and Olly Thornley blocked bravely to deny Stephen Brogan while Tshimanga’s header dropped agonisingly wide following Hemmings’ left-wing cross.

Curzon’s third proper attack culminated in goal number three, with recent recruit McKENNA waltzing through a static United rearguard to poke beyond Stewart and leave The Jakemans Stadium stunned.

Boosted by Smith’s arrival off the bench, United were soon back in contention in the 63rd minute with Ryan Qualter rattling the crossbar and ABBOTT neatly tucking the rebound high into the net.

Three minutes later, Abbott rattled the post and THOMPSON reacted quickest to slam home the loose ball.

Thompson subsequently motored clear down the United left and laid the ball on a plate for ABBOTT to thunder home his second goal to restore parity with 15 minutes to play.

United continued their offensive, with Smith’s scissor kick flying wide before the Boston sub had an effort hacked off the line by Matt Regan.

Smith thought he should have had a penalty when he was bundled over by Niall Cummins with four minutes to play, but referee James Bell was unmoved, and the points were somehow shared.

Boston (4-4-2): Jon Stewart; Wes Atkinson, Ryan Qualter, Jordan Keane, Stephen Brogan; Jay Rollins (Jack Dyche 83), Brad Abbott, Andi Thanoj, Ashley Hemmings; Reece Thompson, Kabongo Tshimanga (Gregg Smith 63). Subs (not used): Jamie McGuire, Taron Hare, George Willis (gk).

Curzon (4-2-3-1): Cameron Mason; Olly Thornley, Danny Shaw, Jonathan Hunt, Matt Regan; Chris Rowney, Sam Walker (Luke Clark 50); James Baillie (Aaron Dwyer 77), Jake Dunwoody, Ben McKenna (Ben Wharton 90); Niall Cummins. Subs (not used): Richie Baker, Tyrell McKenzie.

Referee: James Bell.

Attendance: 1,009 (13 visitors).