NASH v PILGRIMS: A tale of two penalties leaves honours even between Boston United and Curzon Ashton

(Andrew Halls (pen) 84; Jordan Thewlis (pen) 20)

Boston United had to settle for a point at Curzon Ashton following a tale of two penalties.

Jordan Thewlis put the Puilgrims in front from the spot with his first goal since December 16, but Andrew Halls pulled the hosts level from 12 yards with six minutes to go as the two sides played out their second draw of the National League North season.

Craig Elliott made five changes to his starting XI for the second time this week.

Alex Whittle returned from injury and returned to the starting XI alongside Martyn Woolford, Brad Abbott, Dominic Knowles and Frank Mulhern, replacing Ashley Jackson, Jay Rollins, Simon Heslop, the injured Andi Thanoj and Jake Wright.

Captain Luke Shiels was named on the bench following the illness which kept him out of the midweek draw at Brackley Town.

In an action-packed first half, Thewlis' penalty proved the difference, the striker scoring his 16th goal of the season following Mohamud Ali's foul on Woolford.

The opening 45 minutes saw Woolford twice go close, forcing a good save from Cameron Mason and prodding another effort wide, while Knowles and Abbott saw efforts flash off target.

For the Nash, Owen Watkinson and John Askew called Peter Crook into action.

The second half began with Mulhern screwing an effort wide of the Nash goal before Crook pulled off a marvellous save to deny Mike Calveley's angled drive.

The Boston keeper was then called upon to ensure Isaac Sinclair and Oliver Thornley didn't pull the hosts level at the Tameside Stadium.

Watkinson was dismissed in the 64th minute, shown a straight red for an elbow on Tyrell Warren.

The hosts pulled level with a spot kick of their ow in the 84th minute, Crook getting a hand to Andrew Halls' efort but unable to keep it out of the net.

NASH: Mason, Baillie (Tavares 73), Askew, Evans, Thornley, Ali, Broadbent, Calveley, Halls, Watkinson, Sinclair (Bayode 73); Subs (not used): Wroe, Merrill, Davies.

UNITED: Crook, Warren, Whittle, Platt, Ainge, Garner, Woolford (Rollins 77), Abbott, Knowles (Shiels 90), Thewlis, Mulhern (Wright 73); Subs (not used): Jackson, Heslop.

REF: Daniel Locker.