Boston United 1-2 Southport

The Pilgrims had looked set for at least a point when Gavin Allott headed home in the 80th minute, before striking the post a minute from time.

Jack Sampson had handed Port a 16th minute lead and they nicked all three points when a combination of Ryan Astles and United's James Jones saw the loose ball bundled home from a long Reagan Ogle throw-in five minutes into added time.

Southport posed the greater threat in the opening stages, with Ryan Qualter blocking bravely to deny Jordan Archer in the ninth minute.

The visitors edged ahead seven minutes later when Bradley Bauress cut the ball back for SAMPSON to lift a rising drive into the roof of the United net.

Dion Charles was denied a second goal for Port by Duncan Robertson’s offside flag while George Willis made a flying save to keep out Jordan Richards’ arrowing free-kick.

United’s best chances of the half all arrived at the death. Visiting keeper Dan Hanford excelled to keep out Allott’s downward header and Andi Thanoj’s speculative effort from 30 yards, before beating aside Ben Davies’ 20-yard free-kick.

The Pilgrims should have levelled on the hour mark when Davies’ deep corner was nodded on by Jones and Allott, but Jordan Slew somehow lifted the ball over a gaping net.

Jones produced a magnificent goalline clearance to stop Morgan Homson-Smith extending Port’s lead and the Pilgrims were soon level when substitute Max Wright whipped over an excellent ball from the right and ALLOTT powered home a close-range header.

Hanford subsequently kept out a Wright drive before Allott rattled the post following another Davies corner.

The Sandgrounders had the last laugh when Ogle delivered into the box from the Port left and ASTLES and Jones saw the ball loop beyond Willis to hand Liam Watson’s side maximum points.

Boston (4-2-3-1): George Willis; Ben Davies, Ryan Qualter, James Jones, Ashley Jackson; Andi Thanoj, David Norris; Josh Hine (Max Wright 61), Danny Rowe, Jordan Slew (Andre Johnson 61); Gavin Allott. Subs (not used): Ben Middleton, David Parkhouse, Spencer Harris.

Southport (4-4-2): Dan Hanford; Jordan Richards, Dean Winnard, Liam Edwards (Ryan Astles 48), Reagan Ogle; Dion Charles, David Morgan, Marcus Wood, Brad Bauress (Morgan Homson-Smith 53); Jack Sampson, Jordan Archer (Devarn Green 75). Subs (not used): Liam Davies, Stefan Mueller.

Referee: Barry Lamb.

Attendance: 1,146 (55 visitors).