What's the worse that could happen? Mills reflects on the goal that handed Boston United a play-off cushion

In the fifth minute of stoppage time, with the Pilgrim leading 1-0, the right back smashed home a near-post volley to hand Boston a two-goal cushion against North Ferriby.

“I knew it was late, so I thought ‘what’s the worse that could happen?’ and took a swing,” said Mills, who described the goal as the best of his career

“I hit it hard and it went in.

“It was just pure delight. I just ran around in a circle until someone caught me.”

Grant Roberts had earlier put Boston 1-0 ahead in a game the hosts dominated.

But Mills admitted that he didn’t think he was going to get the chance to make it 2-0.

He added: “With 10 minutes to go it was getting tighter and we thought ‘should we shut up shop?’ as a 1-0 lead’s better than them nicking one.

“I think 2-0 is a fair result and gives us a nice cushion to go there with a game plan.”

Manager Dennis Greene labelled referee Simon Barrow’s performance as ‘incredible’ - but not in the most complementary of ways.

The official appeared to be a little overwhelmed by the occasion at times, with United believing that Ferriby striker Tom Denton should have seen red for a series of aerial battles in which his arm caught United’s Carl Piergianni, Roberts and Nat Brown on diferent occasions.

The only dampener to the night was a head injury sustained by Piergianni, after clashing with teammate Scott Garner.

The defender is a doubt for the second leg on Sunday after being taken to hospital with concussion and a suspected broken nose.