Losing return to action for Boston United at high-flying Carlisle United
Boston United were beaten 2-0 at high-flying Carlisle United on their return to action yesterday.
The Pilgrims had won three games in eight days before a weekend without a game, but goals from Leo Duru and Regan Linney ensured that did not become four at Brunton Park as the Cumbrians extended their unbeaten run to nine matches in the process.
Duru headed home Josh Williams' cross in the 10th minute and Linney sealed the deal 18 minutes from time as the Pilgrims came up short, despite positive spells in both halves.
Missing Sai Sachdev through suspension, Terrell Agyemang through injury and Nicholas Pozo through international duty, the Pilgrims made two changes to the side which had beaten Scunthorpe United on 31st October, with Connor Teale and Levi Sutton replacing Sachdev and Agyemang respectively.
The Blues took a 10th minute lead when Williams was afforded too much time to cross from the left and Duru headed home at the back post.
Home keeper Adam Desbois made saves to deny Jack Holmes and Tom Cursons - the second of which was decent stop after Boston's top goalscorer worked a yard of space to blaze goalwards.
Louis Chadwick produced a sensational save to deny Williams a second for the hosts, with Jonah Lowes soon rattling the crossbar.
The visitors huffed and puffed after the break, carrying a reasonable threat to the Carlisle goal - but the home side put the game decisively beyond Boston's reach with Linney firing home a fine effort in the 72nd minute.
PILGRIMS: Chadwick; Teale, Canavan, Grimes, Gent; Aboh (John-Lewis 80), Rooney, Sutton (Holohan 68), Holmes (Bostock 58); Wheeldon (Hill 68); Cursons. SUBS NOT USED: Shipley, McBride, Faxon.
REFEREE: Stuart Morland.
ATTENDANCE: 7,085 (159 away).