Ross handed the Pilgrims the lead courtesy of a fantastic free-kick and Newsham blasted home from the spot during the second half after ex-Pilgrim Shane Clarke had levelled five minutes before half-time.

The Pilgrims were full value for their victory, with Newsham also striking a post, although they did have to dig deep during a frenetic finale as Trinity piled bodies forward.

United made light work of their task without suspended duo Ben Fairclough and Spencer Weir-Daley, with Conor Marshall pressed into service on the right wing and Mark Jones returning from injury to join the attack.

The game’s first meaningful chance brought about United’s opening goal. Jones was fouled by Luke Waterfall a fraction outside the box and ROSS curled home a brilliant free-kick over the wall to give Jan Budtz no chance.

Budtz was soon called into action again — blocking Jones’ shot-on-the-turn with his legs after the United striker had rolled away from Greg Young with ease.

The Trinity keeper also kept out a low drive from winger Jason Stokes, who had embarked on a mazy crossfield run to drill goalwards.

Trinity’s first proper chance culminated in their equaliser on 40 minutes. It was a case of former United players combining, with Jamie Yates whizzing over a cross for CLARKE to steer home a long-range header into the top corner.

The visitors lost the services of Clarke at the half-time interval and his replacement Terry Hawkridge flashed a drive too high within minutes of coming on.

Budtz produced another good save to keep out Nathan Stainfield’s towering header from a Ross corner, while Ross himself soon fired a free-kick off target.

The game’s defining moment arrived when Waterfall hacked down Jones in the box and NEWSHAM drove the spot-kick high to Budtz’s right.

United came close to doubling their lead when Ross’ quick free-kick played Newsham into the clear, but his angled drive flew to safety off the post.

Trinity threw everything at United in the closing stages, with a Darryn Stamp header flying off target from a Hawkridge corner. Tom Ward then produced a brilliant block on the line to deny Brad Barraclough.

United scrambled clear a succession of late corners, including one with Budtz in the box, to claim their first home league victory over the Blues since New Year’s Day 1998.

Boston (4-4-2): Dan Haystead; Gary Silk, Tom Ward, Nathan Stainfield, Gareth Jelleyman; Conor Marshall (Korey Dyer-Stewart 63), Ben Milnes, Ian Ross, Jason Stokes; Mark Jones (Charley Sanders 87), Marc Newsham. Subs (not used): Sam Craven, James Reed, Ricky Drury (gk).

Gainsborough (4-4-2): Jan Budtz; Dominic Roma, Luke Waterfall, Greg Young, Josh Wilde; Craig Nelthorpe, Shane Clarke (Terry Hawkridge 46), Jonathan D’Laryea, Jamie Yates (Brad Barraclough 72); Paul Connor (Darryn Stamp 64), Dominic Knowles. Subs (not used): Jonathan Williams, Lynton Karkach.

Referee: Ian Dudley