Boston United 1-0 Barrow

Miller’s 54th minute lob, which was fumbled home by keeper Tony McMillan, was the difference between the sides in a tight encounter at The Jakemans Stadium.

Injury-hit United had to withstand considerable late pressure, although keeper Ashley Timms was never unduly troubled.

Already without key performers Scott Garner and Marc Newsham ahead of kick-off, United also lost the services of Carl Piergianni and Ian Ross during the afternoon.

The opening stages were cagey, with Barrow threatening first with Gareth Arnison’s angled drive deflecting to safety off his own team-mate Dale Johnson.

United mustered their first threat with Stefan Galinski’s rising effort tipped over by McMillan, while Netan Sansara’s flighted cross clipped the crossbar with Ben Fairclough unable to pounce.

Galinski’s subsequent throughball deserved better than the high and wide effort served up by Miller at the mid-point of the first half.

Miller went closer when his curling effort deflected a fraction wide following a swift Boston break instigated by a terrific Fairclough challenge on the edge of his own box.

Barrow’s Paddy Lacey whizzed an effort wide from distance, while visiting keeper McMillan flew across his goal to keep out a rising Spencer Weir-Daley drive.

With Piergianni unable to continue after the break due to a dead leg, Conor Marshall displayed more versatility by slipping in alongside Galinski at centre-back.

Peter Bore was United’s hero five minutes into the half. Robbie Williams was denied by a Bore goalline clearance, before Johnson suffered a similar fate at the hands of the United right-back.

It was a pivotal double block as United took the lead in their next attack. Weir-Daley charged down a clearance to afford MILLER a sight of goal and his lob slipped through the grasp of a red-faced McMillan to hand United the advantage.

Miller was denied by McMillan moments later as the Barrow keeper started making amends for his earlier error.

United debutant Jake Hall was a lively presence after replacing Ross, with Weir-Daley donning the captain’s armband.

The Pilgrims tried to keep Barrow at arm’s length in the closing stages but had to contend with Duran Reynolds’ long throw-ins in and around the penalty area.

Ex-Pilgrim Greg Mills was thrown on by Barrow and he, along with the likes of fellow subs Jamie Allen and Nick Rushton plus Williams and Reynolds all had brief sights of goal, without seriously troubling Timms who picked up his fourth clean sheet of the season.

Boston (4-3-3): Ashley Timms; Peter Bore, Stefan Galinski, Carl Piergianni (Indy Aujla 46), Netan Sansara; Ian Ross (Jake Hall 56), Conor Marshall, Ben Milnes; Spencer Weir-Daley, Ricky Miller, Ben Fairclough (James Reed 85). Subs (not used): Ngoni Dongo, Sam Vince (gk).

Barrow (4-4-2): Tony McMillan; Andy Burns, Robbie Williams, Duran Reynolds, Paul Edwards; Paddy Lacey, Richard Davies (Jamie Allen 67), Keith Briggs, Craig Radcliffe (Greg Mills 59); Dale Johnson, Gareth Arnison (Nick Rushton 66). Subs (not used): Aaron Bowen, Danny O'Donnell.

Referee: Ian Dudley

Attendance: 1,041 (34 visitors)