Three classic Boston United-Altrincham knockout matches to get you in the mood for today's National League North play-off final

Ben Fairclough and Spencer Weir-Daley were dismissed and a fiery FA Cup clash.

Boston United 3-2 Altrincham

1985 FA Trophy, semi-final

The Pilgrims had fought through home ties in each of the proper rounds, following a qualifier at Alvechurch, to reach a two-legged semi final against Altrincham. A 0-0 draw at Moss Lane set United up nicely, having already beaten Blyth, Frome, Wokingham and Runcorn at York Street.

But Boston fans knew there was still work to do - five years earlier they’d drawn 1-1 at Mossley only to lose the semi final second leg 2-1 in Lincolnshire.

With a stiff breeze pushing them on in the first half, Boston raced into a 2-0 lead with Chris Cook and Bob Lee both getting themselves on the scoresheet at the York Street End.

On 35 minutes Alty were reduced to 10 men, as Graham Bennett got himself sent off. But the Robins fought back, Ellis bundled a long throw-in home on 51 minutes before Jeff Johnson unleashed a 30-yarder to level the tie with six minutes left.

With the away goals in play United were heading towards another semi-final defeat, and with the nerves too much for some - including John Blackwell, who paced the club car park - Lee nodded home Dave Gilbert’s corner with a minute left to send the majority of the 4,006 present into delirium.

Boston lost the final, 2-1 to Wealdstone, while Altrincham made up for their semi-final disappointment by winning the Trophy the following season.

Boston United 2 Altrincham 0

1998 FA Trophy, round five (last 16)

The sides met again in the FA Trophy as United won through more than three rounds for the first time since 1985 to reach a Last 16 tie.

The visiting Robins listed Paul Ellender and Leroy Chambers in their ranks, and at the time played in the Northern Premier League while Boston had been shifted south at the start of the season.

Boston broke through an even opening quarter to lead through Paul Watts. Peter Costello’s corner was nodded on by Lennie Curtis to Watts, who completed the move.

With Costello and Ellender both incensing opposition fans, and both receiving no more than a booking, Chambers forced a save out of Bastock while Watts saw two efforts cleared off the line.

Keith Russell then arguably cost his side the game. The Alty man tangled with Curtis and while getting to his feet pushed the Boston man down, leaving the referee little choice but to send him off.

Watts chipped home a second from the edge of the area on 72 minutes to secure safe passage for the Pilgrims, who went on to lose their quarter final at St Albans City.

Boston United 1 Altrincham 3

2012 FA Cup, fourth qualifying round

Another feisty affair between the clubs was played out in the FA Cup. Boston took the lead but fell two goals and two men down.

Having won through against Kettering and Tadcaster, the Pilgrims took a surprise lead through Mark Jones after just 11 minutes.

The game’s first real talking point arrived two minutes later. Ben Fairclough was late into a hefty challenge and found his afternoon ended just 13 minutes in by Adrian Holmes’ red card.

Altrincham - pushing for the play-offs in the Conference North while Jason Lee’s Boston made a stuttered start - eventually equalised on 58 minutes, Damian Reeves and James Lawrie exchanging passes for the latter to finish.

On the hour the game changed irreparably out of Boston’s favour. With many of the crowd, and the highlights camera, focused on play up field Jake Moult and Weir-Daley tussled; referee Holmes has witnessed enough to dismiss Weir-Daley while Moult rolled on the floor.

With favourites Altrincham now enjoying a two man advantage there seemed no way back for Boston, and indeed Moult scored a go-ahead goal on 70 minutes and Nicky Clee wrapped up the game with a minute left.

Overall

That FA Cup clash was the last time the side which opened the scoring failed to win a game between Boston and Altrincham.

In all the sides have met 11 times in knockout competitions, with two NPL Challenge Cup ties (one which went to a replay) and a two-legged Bob Lord Trophy encounter preceding the FA Trophy semi-final; while a Northern Premier League Cup quarter-final, also requiring a replay, unfolded in 1998.