Boston United 5-3 Gateshead

United trailed to JJ O'Donnell's header but led at half-time courtesy of two Thewlis penalties.

Alex Nicholson levelled from the spot after the break but Jay Rollins restored United's lead before Wright's quickfire double rendered Elliot Forbes' late header as nothing more than a consolation.

The Pilgrims’ behind-closed-doors success booked a home promotion final against Altrincham, following their 2-0 win at York City earlier in the day.

Playing their first home match in exactly five months – since suffering a 3-0 defeat to Gateshead – the Pilgrims initially struggled to get going against their full-time opponents and fell behind in the 19th minute.

Gateshead, who had prevailed on penalties in the eliminator tie at Brackley Town on Sunday, edged ahead when O’DONNELL got up at the front post to glance home Greg Olley’s free-kick delivery.

United improved after the first half drinks break and levelled in the 34th minute when Wright was clipped by Mike Williamson and THEWLIS crashed home the resultant penalty.

Things got even better for the Pilgrims two minutes before the break when United were awarded their second spot-kick, for another Williamson-on-Wright tussle and THEWLIS confidently stuck home his second 12-yard effort of the afternoon.

Gateshead were awarded their own penalty six minutes after the break when Alex Whittle brought down NICHOLSON, who picked himself up to fire home the spot-kick.

The Pilgrims subsequently retook the lead and then killed off the tie with further goals either side of the second half drinks break.

ROLLINS linked up smartly with Brad Abbott to sweep home United’s third from 20 yards in the 62nd minute and WRIGHT sailed home a speculative cross-shot from out of the right flank eight minutes later.

United added a fifth when Abbott set WRIGHT racing clear and he shrugged off the attentions of Nicholson to beat Brad James with aplomb.

There was still time for FORBES to glance home Olley’s free-kick with six minutes to play, but United held on without too many further scares to claim a momentus victory.

Boston (4-3-3): Peter Crook; Matt Challoner, Luke Shiels, Scott Garner, Alex Whittle; Brad Abbott (Simon Ainge 90), Tom Platt, Andi Thanoj (Simon Heslop 88); Jay Rollins (Frank Mulhern 90), Jake Wright (Dominic Knowles 88), Jordan Thewlis (Jordan Nicholson 81). Sub (not used): George Willis (gk).

Gateshead (3-5-1-1): Brad James; Elliot Forbes, Mike Williamson, Jake Cooper; Alex Nicholson, Liam Agnew (Paul Blackett 78), Jack Hunter (Ruairi Keating 70), Nicky Deverdics, JJ O'Donnell; Greg Olley; Jordan Preston. Subs (not used): Danny Greenfield, Matt Pattison, Sam Guthrie (gk).

Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis.

Attendance: Behind-Closed-Doors.