Boston United win penalty shootout to beat AFC Fylde in FA Trophy

Boston United booked their place in the FA Trophy's fourth round following a penalty shootout victory over AFC Fylde.

Scott Garner - who had seen his two previous Pilgrims spot kicks saved - netted the winning spotkick, while Ross Fitzsimons made two vital saves.

Connor Dimaio scored the first Boston United goal at the Jakemans Community Stadium with a beautiful curler to cancel out Junior Mondal's first-minute opener.

With Jay Rollins and Andi Thanoj injured and Jordan Thewlis and Mitch Rose suspended, the Pilgrims could only name four on the bench.

However, defender Pierce Bird - back at the club on loan from Eastleigh - was named in the starting XI at the expense of Scott Garner

Mondal needed just 20 seconds to put the Coasters in front, beating Ross Fitzsimons with a low outside-of-the-boot drive after the hosts failed to deal with a deep throw-in.

Boston responded with Scott Duxbury's low drive, held by on-loan Burnley keeper Lewis Thomas, and Luke Shiels' header which flew over the bar before Fitzsimons beat away Kurt Willoughby's stinger at the other end.

Thomas was back in action as he swiped away Tom Platt's goalbound header before Fitzsimons claimed Ben Tollitt's strike at the second attempt, the two keepers warming their hands at the bitterly cold Jakemans Stadium.

When Mondal found himself in a similar position to his goal his finish matched the quality and Fitzsimons collected comfortably.

United began the second half as Fylde began the first, but Joe Leesley's effort was forced wide by Thomas.

Dimaio levelled in the 83rd minute with a moment of class, making space for himdself 25 yards from goal before curling home an inch-perfect effort.

It took some desperate defending - most notably a block from Tom Platt - to maintain parity as Fylde looked to finish it in normal time.

From 12 yards Danny Philliskirks's effort was tipped onto the bar by Fitzsimons before Jordan Burrow handed the advantage to United.

Jordan Lussey, Dimaio, Nathan Shaw and Tom Platt all scored before Fitzsimons forced away Luke Brennan's effort.

Garner, who had been denied in the Trophy at North Ferriby and in the play-offs against Chorley, made it third time lucky.

UNITED:Fitzsimons, Tootle (Warren 84), Duxbury (Garner 74), Platt, Shiels, Green, Burrow, Bird, Hawkridge (Dimaio 74), Preston, Leesley; Subs (Not used): Crook.

FYLDE: Thomas, Conlan, Pond, Whitmore, Tollitt, Philliskirk, Mondal (Brennan 90), Sampson (Sanders 80), Lussey, Willoughby (Shaw 66), Ogle; Subs (not used): Burke, Nolan, Stanley, Byrne.

REF: Matthew Scholes.