It was deja vu all over again at the Jakemans Stadium earlier today as for the third game in a row City equalised in second half injury time, to draw 1-1 with Boston United.
Lucas Tomlinson’s late goal from a Daniel Leadbitter assist cancelled out Boston’s first half strike, and in the process put the play offs out of the host’s hands.
Lee Mansell brought Tom Harrison, Dylan Barkers and Fabien Robert back into the starting line up, with Lucas Tomlinson joined on the bench by Jack Hill, Lewis Derrick, and Max Sheaf.
City continually found space in wide positions during the first half, with Jack James and Louis Hall benefitting from the switches of play. Both Ollie Hulbert and Fabien Robert drew saves from Dewhurst in Boston’s goal, but City couldn’t make their good attacking play count and went behind on 20’ when a deep free kick was knocked back across the goal by Shiels leaving Elliot with a simple finish.
Both sets of defenders were dominating the match and neither side was able to carve out many clear chances until Jack James cut inside and blazed wide just before the interval.
City pushed for an equaliser in the second half and had to be alert to Boston’s counter attacks, however it was generally a frustrating afternoon for City’s attackers. Mansell brought on Max Sheaf on 64’ to replace Barkers who’d picked up a knock, and then followed by introducing Lucas Tomlinson for Robert, who’d had an industrious afternoon supporting Hulbert.
When City spurned a free kick opportunity in a good shooting position it looked like it wasn’t going to be their day. Academy product Lewis Derrick made his Senior debut, replacing Tommy O’Sullivan as City threw everything at the Pilgrims. And it paid off deep in injury time yet again after Leadbitter’s unplayable low cross from wide was met by Tomlinson’s sliding legs to send the travelling support into raptures.
City: Wiles-Richards, Leadbitter, James, Harrison, Thomson, Hall, Barkers (sub Sheaf 64’), Dawson, O’Sullivan (sub Derrick 83’), Robert (sub Tomlinson 76’), Hulbert
Subs not used: Armstrong, Hill
Man of the Match: Tom Harrison