The Pilgrims had got off to the worst possible start when Andy Pearson headed Guiseley in front after 44 seconds and their task was made virtually impossible when James Walshaw doubled the Lions' lead on 65 minutes.

Ben Milnes cut the deficit five minutes from time and despite a rousing finale from the Pilgrims, the visitors had left their fightback too late.

Guiseley had the better of the possession throughout, but the Pilgrims created enough chances in both halves to take something from the match in West Yorkshire.

United's afternoon got off to a nightmare start. Andy Holdsworth delivered a free-kick from the Guiseley left and PEARSON got up highest to glance the ball home, with Dan Haystead caught in no-man's land.

Pearson went close again minutes later, but he swivelled to fire over the bar following a partially-cleared set-piece.

United came alive, with Steven Drench excelling to keep out Spencer Weir-Daley's firm drive, following a Milnes assist.

Milnes then started and almost finished the move of the first half, but after interchanging with Marc Newsham and Weir-Daley, he advanced to fire wide of Drench's far post when well-placed. Drench later made a save to stop Milnes' dipping 20-yarder.

Paul Lister, signed only 24 hours earlier from Hinckley United, emerged as a 33rd minute substitute after Phil Watt suffered a head wound and was unable to continue.

Guiseley started well after half-time and Haystead had to be alert to deny Josh Wilson and Kevin Holsgrove.

The Lions struck the decisive blow on the 65-minute mark. WALSHAW met an Aaron Hardy cross with a firm header and once the ball had bounced down off the underside of the bar, assistant referee Jane Simms adjudged that it had crossed the line, despite United's protests.

Walshaw soon had a chance to make it 3-0, but fired wide, and thereafter it was all Boston in terms of chances created.

Drench made routine stops to deny Newsham and Ben Fairclough, before United halved the arrears five minutes from time when MILNES fired home a low free-kick from 20 yards.

Anton Foster, arguably United's standout performer, embarked on a barn-storming run from his own half moments later and his assist played in Fairclough, who was in turn denied by a brilliant Drench stop.

There was still time for Nathan Stainfield to direct a header wide from Milnes' corner, while Drench saved from Newsham once more, as the Pilgrims ran out of time.

Guiseley (4-3-3): Steven Drench; Aaron Hardy, Danny Ellis, Andy Pearson, Rhys Meynell; Andy Holdsworth (Jake Lawlor 86), Jack Rea, Wayne Brooksby (Matt Wilson 75); Josh Wilson, Kevin Holsgrove (Phil Marsh 75), James Walshaw. Subs (not used): Andy McWilliams, Jacob Giles (gk).

Boston (4-4-2): Dan Haystead; Conor Marshall, Phil Watt (Paul Lister 33), Nathan Stainfield, Paul Mayo; Keiran Walker (Daniel Lawlor 60), Ben Milnes, Anton Foster; Ben Fairclough; Marc Newsham, Spencer Weir-Daley (Jordan Smith 70). Subs (not used): Tom Ward, James Reed.

Referee: Adrian Holmes