Too little, too late as FC United's good run comes to an end with defeat against Boston

FC United’s four game unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-1 defeat against Boston United in front of 3,544 supporters at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon with Sam Sheridan scoring a consolation goal in the 90th minute.

It was a case of too little, too late for the Reds as the promotion chasing Lincolnshire club proved too strong for Karl Marginson’s side for the second time this season.

The Reds were 1-0 down inside three minutes, when Kaine Felix used his pace to win possession from Luke Ashworth before slotting the ball into Dave Carnell’s bottom right hand corner to give the Pilgrims an early lead.

United were far from disgraced in the first half and had good chunks of play and a few half efforts, but the difference coming forward was clear as with every attack the visitors looked both dangerous and confident and it was certainly a case of when - rather than if - they would score again.

And so it proved. Six minutes before the break, Dayle Southwell netted his 20th league goal of the season. He is currently the league’s leading marksman and the way he shifted the ball out of his feet to create the opportunity showed real class and gave the visitors a two goal lead at the break.

The second half calmed down a little with the visitors seemingly biding their time to look for a third and, in fairness, easing off a little, knowing that a two goal cushion would probably be enough to seal the points.

The Reds had a lot more of the ball in the second half, but the organised defensive unit proved a difficult challenge for them to break down with possession not being turned into any chances of note.

Not deterred by the lack of chances, the Reds kept going and got a breakthrough a minute into stoppage time. Captain Jerome Wright did well on the left before the ball found its way to Sam Sheridan at the edge of box, who fired home to give a glimmer of hope in the remaining minutes.

Despite going close from a couple of late set pieces, United couldn’t get the goal that would have been flattering on reflection of the way the game went. As such, the run of four games without defeat came to an end against a very good Boston United team who will be in with a good shout of promotion if they can hold onto their play-off place.

The Reds now have seven days to pick themselves up and look to get back to winning ways when they visit bottom side Corby Town next Saturday, knowing that mathematically we still aren’t safe with four games remaining.

Website man of the match: Jerome Wright – Kept the momentum of his recent good performances going with another solid display against difficult opponents.

Report by Craig Phillips