Words John Edwards | Pictures Jonathan Moore

Boston United 1 Altrincham 0

Altrincham had promotion in their sights on their last visit to Boston, and grabbed the opportunity with both hands, but there were no smiles to be found in the Robins camp this time on an afternoon of frustration for Phil Parkinson's play-off-chasing squad.

Five years ago, a Dan Mooney goal at Boston's old York Street ground sealed Alty's elevation to the Vanarama National League, and they were hoping for more of the same at the new home of the Pilgrims to reinvigorate their quest to finish in the top seven.

It wasn't to be. The scoreline was the same, but it went Boston's way on this occasion, as the Robins failed to capitalise when they were on top in the first half and were made to pay as the home side scored what proved to be the winner in the in the 26th minute.

Alty made a statement of intent in only the second minute when Matty Kosylo latched on to a pass from Lewis Banks and cut inside from the right flank before firing a low shot that may well have troubled keeper Cameron Gregory but for striking a defender en route to goal.

There was a real let-off for Boston soon after when Kosylo pounced on an error by Cameron Green and burst clear down the right.

Looking up and seeing  Regan Linney in the middle, Kossy curled a low ball across the area, only for it to prove tantalisingly out of reach for the Alty marksman.

If that was an escape for the home side, it was nothing compared to another near-miss for the Robins in the 11th minute.

Linney jinked past a defender out on the right flank and suddenly delivered a cross-cum-shot that flew over Gregory and smacked against the far post.

Given Linney's capacity for defying expectation, there was every reason for believing it was a deliberate attempt on goal by the prolific Alty frontrunner, but, either way, the danger still wasn't over for Boston.

As the ball rebounded off the upright towards the edge of the six-yard box, Kosylo steamed in to hammer a left-foot shot that surely had to be a goal, only for it to be blocked on the line and smothered by a relieved Gregory.

It was Alty's turn to count themselves fortunate after 17 minutes when a looping header from Jai Rowe caused problems for Caleb Ansen, as the keeper appeared to lose his bearings and palmed it against the post before grabbing it just in time to stop it crossing the line.

Alty were caught out by a sucker punch of a goal in the 26th minute.

Boston had been defending for their lives when a ball out from the back found Jacob Hazel on the left, and he looked up to spot Frankie Maguire in space near the right edge of the Alty area.

The pass was perfect, and, after darting to his left past Lewis Baines, Maguire made no mistake as he drilled a low left-foot shot into the bottom corner.

Alty needed a response and almost got one in the 32nd minute when Kosylo went on a mazy run and ended it with a low effort that demanded a diving save from Gregory to deny the Robins an equaliser.

Dylan Hill tested Ansen after 35 minutes, and the Alty keeper had to be alert three minutes later to stop a low drive by livewire striker Hazel with an outstretched foot.

Three minutes into added time at the end of an eventful first half, Alty so nearly hauled themselves on to level terms when Callum Dolan received a pass from Alex Newby and let fly with a swerving, dipping effort that didn't quite dip enough as it just cleared the bar.

The search for an equaliser finally gained some momentum in the 65th minute, after a low-key start to the second half, when Linney began and ended a move that yielded a corner, as the Alty striker unleashed a shot that was deflected over.

The flag-kick was only half-cleared, and Kosylo threatened, not for the first time, with a left-foot shot that sailed narrowly over.

Just moments after perhaps being a shade fortunate to escape with a yellow card for reacting angrily to a cynical foul on him, and appearing to lash out, Kosylo set up a glorious chance for substitute James Jones.

Kossy delivered a superb ball from the right that landed obligingly for Jones, just beyond the far post, but the Alty defender volleyed the 71st-minute opportunity over from an inviting position near the corner of the six-yard box.

Alty kept hammering away, but there was no way through against a Boston side who had chased and harried throughout to safeguard their slender lead and make was what already a tall order look that bit more arduous for the Robins, who are now four points adrift of seventh place.

Boston Gregory, C.Green, Hazel (Gale, 80'), Rowe, Teale, Nicholson, Richards, Sloggett, Maguire (Ward, 78'), Mills (c), Hill (O.Green, 90'+1). Subs not used: Marriott, Wadsworth, Scott, Lovelace.

Altrincham Ansen; Banks, Baines (c), Osborne (Wilson, 75'), Linney, Newby, Kosylo (Weaver, 82'), Crawford, Golden (Penney, 75'), Olson (J.Jones, 68'), Dolan (Reddin, 65'). Subs not used: Marriott, Randle.

HT 1-0

Goals Maguire 26' | None

Yellows C.Green 71' | Kosylo 72', Crawford 88'

Reds None | None

Referee Jason Richardson

Assistants David Hutton & Thomas Whay

Fourth official Daniel Smith

Attendance 2,320 (137 away)

Next Up

A Good Friday Vanarama National League battle with Rochdale at The J.Davidson Stadium. Turnstiles open at 12:30pm, with kick-off at 3pm.

Get your general admission matchday tickets here and read all about our Big Prize Draw to win your 2025/26 season ticket here.