“They’re the best wins!” Craig Elliott delighted by Boston United’s hard graft in Kettering victory

Jake Wright scored twice as the Pilgrims edged a tight contest, in which they were forced to defend for their lives to earn the three points.

United, without leading scorer Jordan Thewlis due to injury, had to dig deep just two days after the 10-man Pilgrims were downed by a late goal at leaders King’s Lynn.

Kettering, arriving on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run in the National League North, were fresher having not played on Boxing Day.

“They’re the best wins when you know you’ve had to graft,” Elliott said.

“A few things went against us, like them not playing, a few injuries, tired legs.

“To come on and do what we did in the last 15 minutes, really pleased we got some reward.”

The opening 30 minutes was stop-start as referee Jonny Urwin failed to endear himself to either bench with his heavy-handed approach.

“I thought the referee contributed to that,” Elliott added.

“I thought he gave too many fouls for both teams, and he was spending too long talking to players.

“The referee’s got a lot to answer for as, at the end of the day, this level there’ll be tackles flying in.

“He contributed to that slow start.”

Wright opened the scoring in the 33rd minute before Tre Mitford levelled.

United’s winner came courtesy of the York City loanee in first-half time added on.

“We did what we had to do,” Elliott said.

“That’s the main thing as they’re on a good run and they’ve got some good players.

“You’ve got to respect what they’ve done.”