Ferguson rammed home the winning goal in the 87th minute against title-chasing Brackley Town, only six minutes after entering the fray, following excellent work down the left-hand side by top goalscorer Danny Elliott.

United felt they should already have been in front, with Luke Shiels' second half header ruled out for a marginal offside call against James Hanson.

With Jake Wright Snr ill and Jake Wright Jnr rested, Scott Duxbury and Ntumba Massanka got the nod to start at the conclusion of a busy Easter weekend.

Marcus Dewhurst saved well to deny Lee Ndlovu in the early stages, while Wes York, playing in an unfamiliar right-back role, blocked to deny Tom Platt following Massanka's reverse pass into his path.

Chances were at a premium, although Matt Lowe's corner did hit the outside of the post as the first half ended goalless.

Joe Leesley's right-footer deflected and whizzed narrowly wide, while Shiels' header from a Leesley free-kick was ruled out for offside against Hanson.

The match looked to be heading for stalemate until Elliott shrugged off York down the United left and crossed for FERGUSON to slam the ball home in front of 174 gleeful travelling fans.

Brackley (4-3-3): Danny Lewis; Wes York (Tre Mitford 90), Gareth Dean, Louis Lomas, Glenn Walker; James Armson, Shepherd Murombedzi, Jordan Richards; Matt Lowe, Lee Ndlovu, Jaanai Gordon (Twariq Yusuf 77). Subs (not used): Ellis Myles, Fabio Lopes, Alex Prosser.

Boston (3-5-2): Marcus Dewhurst; Brad Nicholson, Luke Shiels, Scott Duxbury; Femi Seriki (Keenan Ferguson 81), Brad Abbott, Tom Platt, Shane Byrne, Joe Leesley; Ntumba Massanka (James Hanson 55), Danny Elliott. Subs (not used): Andi Thanoj, Jay Rollins, Fraser Preston.

Referee: Aaron Bannister.

Attendance: 1,103 (174 visitors).

PIC: Oliver Atkin.