COLLS v PILGRIMS: Late goal knocks Boston United out of FA Trophy

(Tom Bentham 88)

Boston United are out of the FA Trophy after conceding a last-gasp winner.

Atherton Collieries' Tom Bentham slammed home the only goal of the game in the 88th minute, the Pilgrims' first cup defeat of the campaign.

After scoring 21 times in seven FA Cup and Lincs Senior Cup contests this season, Boston drew a blank for the first time.

And it proved costly at the death, just as it appeared both sides would be preparing for a replay on Tuesday night.

However, some things don't seem to chage this season; United are still to play a national knockout match at York Street and the curse of the centre back continues to plague them.

Pierce Bird left the pitch with a head injury just 32 minutes into his debut, the Notts County loanee joining Simon Ainge, Alex Penny and Lewis Gibbens on the injury list.

Craig Elliott put out a mix-and-match side including a number of his fringe players, but the Pilgrims still began brightly.

Nicky Walker's effort skidded wide of the mark and Bird struck the woodwork before Ben Hardcastle's effort did likewise at the other end.

Luke Shiels, Jonathan Wafula and Shaun Tuton all saw efforts fly wide before Peter Crook was forced to deny Collieries' Vinny Bailey before Michael Brewster blasted off-target.

The chances dried up a little after the interval, although Hardcastle shot wide for the hosts and Jake Wright's drive was gathered by Atherton keeper Greg Hartley, who then ensured Tuton's effort stayed out.

Bentham settled it let on at the Skuna Stadium and with little time to fight back, Wafula's free header missed the target.

And with it went Boston's hopes of a leveller.

ATHERTON: Hartley, Smith, Peet, Welsh, Lafferty, Battersby (Lambert 80), Hardcastle, Brewster, Bentham, Bailey (Sherlock 64), Conway (O'Brien 64); Subs (not used): Kipre.

UNITED: Crook, Middleton, Jackson, Wafula, Bird (Whittle 32), Shiels, Walker, Green, Wright (Thewlis 84), Tuton, Adebayo-Smith (Rollins 66); Subs (not used): Rollins, Platt, Abbott, Knowles, Thanoj.

REF: Matt Corlett.