The Pilgrims were resolute for long spells against full-time opposition at New Meadow Park - and spurned the game's best chance when Jake Wright Jnr hit the post during the second half.

Gloucester almost snatched all three points at the death when Ollie Hulbert glanced a header narrowly wide, but a draw was fair on the balance of few chances.

United's best first half chance fell to Wright Jnr, who saw his downward header saved by Jake Cole following Joe Leesley's deep corner delivery.

Tommy O'Sullivan whistled a long-range drive over the angle of post and bar as chances remained at a premium.

United came closest to breaking the deadlock after the break when Wright Jnr motored clear and into the penalty area - but his effort hit the outside of the post and flew wide.

Marcus Dewhurst thwarted Danny King, while Cole denied Keenan Ferguson, while Hulbert headed just wide from Daniel Leadbitter's left-wing cross on the stroke of full-time, as honours ended even.

Gloucester (4-3-3): Jake Cole; Jordan Thompson (Fabien Robert 81), Ben Gerring, Ben Nugent, Daniel Leadbitter; Kevin Dawson, Tommy O’Sullivan, Max Sheaf; Ollie Hulbert, Matt McClure (Danny King 34), Lucas Tomlinson (Bernard Mensah 72). Subs (not used): Tom Mehew, Liam Armstrong.

Boston (3-5-2): Marcus Dewhurst; Matt Tootle, Luke Shiels, Scott Duxbury; Keenan Ferguson, Connor Dimaio, Tom Platt, Shane Byrne, Joe Leesley; Jake Wright Jnr, Jordan Preston (Danny Elliott 70). Subs: Paul Green, Fraser Preston, Jake Leake, Milan Lalkovic.

Referee: Aaron Bannister.

Attendance: 1,103.

PIC: Neil Phelps.