Southport 2-3 Boston United

The Pilgrims overturned a half-time deficit to lead 2-1 and snatched a late winner through Nicky Walker in the 89th minute after being pegged back by Jordan Archer five minutes earlier.

Bradley Bauress had handed the Sandgrounders an early lead, only for strike duo Jake Wright and Gavin Allott to turn the tables after the break.

Jay Rollins and Jonathan Wafula were recalled to the United starting XI but the Pilgrims found themselves a goal behind after 14 minutes.

Dion Charles drove at the United defence and although Boston repelled his effort, BAURESS slammed home the loose ball from close-range.

George Willis was soon required to block with his chest to deny Charles a quickfire second for the hosts.

United gradually asserted themselves and Dan Hanford made a fine save to keep out a combination of Wafula and Allott following a long Ben Davies throw.

Allott and Jake Wright had further efforts which failed to unduly trouble Hanford in the Southport net.

The Pilgrims levelled on 63 minutes when Ben Middleton diverted Nicky Wroe’s corner goalwards and Jake WRIGHT nodded home from close-range for his first goal in United colours.

Wright was denied a second by a stunning Hanford save moments after Ryan Qualter had rattled the angle of bar and post.

United took the lead for the first time on 77 minutes when substitute Walker clipped ALLOTT into the clear and the Boston frontman drove a fine angled finish past Hanford from 12 yards.

Southport looked to have rescued a point seven minutes later when ARCHER sailed home a close-range header after meeting Morgan Homson-Smith’s deep cross to the back post.

United upped the ante and took the lead again with a minute of normal time to play when WALKER crashed a free-kick goalwards which appeared to take a nick off Ryan Astles on its way into the net.

Boston required a flying save from Willis to deny David Morgan deep into stoppage time but the Pilgrims survived seven additional minutes to hold on for all three points.

Southport (4-3-3): Dan Hanford; Jordan Richards (Jordan Archer 55), Matthew Platt, Ryan Astles, Reagan Ogle; Andy Parry, David Morgan, Paddy Lacey (Liam Davies 75); Dion Charles, Jack Sampson, Bradley Bauress (Morgan Homson-Smith 80). Subs (not used): Devarn Green, Josh Tibbetts (gk).

Boston (4-4-2): George Willis; Ben Davies, Ryan Qualter, Ben Middleton, Ashley Jackson; Jay Rollins (Nicky Walker 75), Nicky Wroe, Andi Thanoj, Jonathan Wafula; Gavin Allott (Spencer Harris 90), Jake Wright (Brad Abbott 90). Subs (not used): Max Wright, Andre Johnson.

Referee: Richard Aspinall.

Attendance: 1,025 (72 visitors).