‘I don’t want the season to end’ says Boston United comeback striker Jacob Hazel

Hazel, only just on as a substitute, put the Pilgrims ahead from the penalty spot last night only to see Fema Olomola's finish take a deflection and beat Dan Cameron to level at the end of four added minutes.

Despite the disappointment, Hazel said the goal was another milestone for him in his comeback from a serious knee injury in the home clash with Gateshead almost a year ago.

“I really thought it was going to be a bit of a fairytale ending,” he said.

“It was a good milestone for me, but the lads will be disappointed to concede in the last 10 seconds of the game.

“It's been a long old road for me and that goal will mean a lot to a lot of people – they all know who they are.

“So I am really delighted, it means a lot to more than just me.

“I am not ready for the season to finish now. I could do with another 20-30 games or a full season really.

“But I know it's going to end so I just need to get as many minutes as I can, get sharp over the summer, stay sharp, and come back firing.”

On his penalty, won by Lenell John-Lewis, he said: “The gaffer doesn't really name a penalty taker.

“Len scored at Brackley. He won it but then said do you fancy it and I said absolutely.

“I was a bit nervous when I stepped up – jelly legs started going a bit. But it bobbled in.

“Against Forest Green I went down the middle and missed so I thought I would mix it up and luckily it went in.”

Hazel then enjoyed celebrating with the Boston fans at that end of the ground and said: “It was really good travelling support and a long trip for a bit of a dead rubber game in terms of us not going down and not going up.

“They were loud all game – it surprised me a bit how loud they were and how many there were.

“They have been behind me while I have been out. I get a lot of messages on social media from a lot of fans and I am really thankful to them as well.”

However, the Pilgrims had to settle for a point at the death and Hazel said: “It was very unfortunate. “We probably just needed to be a bit higher.

“The last 10 minutes after I scored the goal, we dropped a little bit and allowed them to step over the halfway line with their centre halves and it pinned us in a little bit.

“It was a little bit backs against the wall and we just couldn't hold out at the end.”

Boston, safe for another season at National League level, now face two more games without any real meaning for them, starting at Solihull Moors on Saturday, but Hazel said: “I don't think the games will peter out as with a lot of these mid-table clubs, some players will be playing for their futures.

“So I don't think you will get 'testimonial games' hopefully – not from our side anyway.

“We will go into both games looking for three points and looking to finish as high as we can.”