GLOUCESTER CITY 3 BOSTON UNITED 1: Away day worries continue for Pilgrims

The Pilgrims’ search for a first point on the road will have to wait following today’s defeat at Whaddon Road.

As statistics go, it’s not one Dennis Greene and his team will be keen to be reminded of, but the Pilgrims have now lost all four of their away contests.

And had it not been for some goalkeeping heroics from Christian Dibble, the scoreline may have been worse.

Ed Williams gave the hosts a 41st-minute lead as he made the most of United’s failed efforts to clear their lines, crashing home a volley.

In each of their previous away games in the National League North, falling behind has meant defeat for the Pilgrims as they had not previously pulled level from a deficit.

This time Gregg Smith gave his side a glimmer of hope, equalising within three minutes as he met Jason St Juste’s cross to power his header home beyond Jas Singh, his first goal for the club.

But just two minutes after the re-start the Tigers had the advantage once again.

Zak Kotwica shrugged off Joe Maguire to find the net from the edge of Boston’s penalty area.

Luke Hopper gave the hosts their coveted cushion in the 72nd minute, moments after the same player had seen his penalty saved by Dibble.

Hopper showed his strength to shrug off Joe Robinson and fire home, compounding United’s misery.

City forced the early pressure as Kotwica’s effort was blocked by Courtney Wildin and Dibble held onto Williams’ tame effort.

United then saw Robinson’s header go close and Jay Rollins’ scissor kick rattle the Tigers’ bar.

Dibble was in the thick of things to tip Hopper’s header away from danger, but there was little he could do the prevent Williams’ opener.

Three goals arrived in the space of six match minutes, albeit separated by half time.

Following that, Dibble prevented the Tigers extending their lead as he stopped Williams’ drive and saved Hopper’s penalty, awarded after Joe Burgess pulled down Kotwica.

But Hopper made amends to extend the lead.

Chasing the game saw the Pilgrims end well, but Smith, Rollins and Maguire couldn’t hit the target.

The drive home from Cheltenham will be a long one for the Pilgrims, currently 17th in the standings, but they can perhaps take some solace from the fact that their next two games are at the Jakemans Stadium.

GLOUCESTER: Singh, Thomas, Hamilton, Deaman, Hall, Dinsley (Hanks 87), Knowles, Webb, Williams (Parker 68), Hopper (Dale 90), Kotwica; Subs (not used): Avery, Reid.

UNITED: Dibble, Burgess, Maguire, Robinson, Wildin, Marshall (Colley 64), Pepe-Ngoma, McMillan (Hilliard HT), St Juste (Chippendale 64), Rollins, Smith; Subs (not used): Adams, Price.

Ref: Steven Copeland.

Att: 469.