United secured a deserved three-point haul against Curzon Ashton but looked like missed out on maximum spoils after surrendering a lead against their 10-man visitors.

Danny Elliott struck from the penalty spot in the 35th minute and although Scott Wilson was red-carded after 62 minutes, Curzon levelled five minutes from time through Adam Thomas - only for Preston to have the last laugh in the second minute of additional time.

Goalkeeper George Sykes-Kenworthy had been handed his United debut ahead of kick-off, with Peter Crook ruled out with a shoulder injury, while Hull City loanee Jake Leake was another debutant at left-back.

Elliott had seen two presentable chances go begging by the time Sykes-Kenworthy saved smartly from Jack McKay - and United edged in front 10 minutes before the break. Marcus Poscha was penalised for a high foot on Jordan Burrow in the box and ELLIOTT sent Chris Renshaw the wrong way from the spot.

United should have stretched their lead three minutes before the break but Jake Wright Jnr clattered the crossbar when it looked easier to score.

After the break, Luke Shiels planted a downward header into the ground and narrowly over the bar before Wilson was dismissed for violent conduct towards Wright Jnr.

Elliott and Connor Dimaio saw chances go astray before Curzon threw caution to the wind - assisted by Craig Hobson's 72nd minute introduction from the bench.

Dale Whitham's long-range drive was tipped behind by Sykes-Kenworthy, who then produced the save of the match to deny a clean through Hobson.

The Nash levelled in the 85th minute when United struggled to clear their lines, with Leake and then the crossbar coming to their rescue, before THOMAS slammed home the loose ball.

United mustered a stirring response though and deservedly took all three points when Keenan Ferguson rifled a ball across from the right and PRESTON got the decisive touch to spark jubilant scenes in front of a packed North Stand.

Boston (4-3-3): George Sykes-Kenworthy; Keenan Ferguson, Luke Shiels (Fraser Preston 88), Scott Garner, Jake Leake; Shane Byrne, Tom Platt, Connor Dimaio; Jake Wright Jnr (Jordan Preston 76), Jordan Burrow, Danny Elliott (Paul Green 83). Subs (not used): Andi Thanoj, Jake Wright Snr.

Curzon (4-2-3-1): Chris Renshaw; Matt Challoner, Marcus Poscha (Harry Flowers 90), Scott Wilson, Matthew Waters; Dale Whitham, Luke Daly (Craig Mahon 68); Adam Thomas, Alex Curran (Craig Hobson 72), Jack McKay; Dominic Knowles. Sub (not used): Jack Dyche.

Referee: Tom Kirk.

Attendance: 1,497 (21 visitors).

PIC: Russell Dossett.