Boston United bow out of FA Trophy following penalty shootout defeat to Chesterfield

Boston United's FA Trophy run came to an end following a penalty shootout defeat to National League Chesterfield.

Paul Green slotted home the only Pilgrims spotkick while the ruthless Spireites netted all four efforts from 12 yards to succeed 4-1, booking their place in the last 16 with a trip to Aldershot Town on February 6.

With Pierce Bird returning to parent club Eastleigh, defender Scott Garner marked his first start since December's second round win at Evesham with his fourth goal of the season.

But Haydn Hollis pulled the visitors level with a glancing effort of his own, the two sides deadlocked after 90 minutes.

Into the shootout, Laurence Maguire, Joe Rowley, Jak McCourt and Tom Whelan all converted for Chesterfield, while Spireites old boys Jordan Burrow and Connor Dimaio couldn't net.

Burrow seeing his strike saved and Dimaio dragging wide.

The Pilgrims, reshuffling due to Tom Platt's hamstring injury, started former Spireites Ross Fitzsimons, Matt Tootle and Dimaio, with ex-Chesterfield youth teamer Burrow leading the line.

Jake Wright came off the bench in the second half to make his first appearance since August, a positive for Craig Elliott's side.

Chesterfield, with Covid cases and injury problems, were forced to start academy teenager Dylan Wharton in goal, while there was no Tom Denton, so often the Pilgrims' tormentor with North Ferriby and Halifax.

Wharton was tested early on, the youngster parrying an Andi Thanoj free kick before United's Jay Rollins had a penalty shout turned away after going down under attention from Will Evans.

A heavy first touch could have been enough for referee David Richardson to give the defender the benefit of the doubt.

As Chesterfield found their stride the opportunities began to arrive.

Fitzsimons pulled off an impressive double save after Rowley was clean through, clipping the ball away as the Spireite looked to round him before turning the follow-up round his post.

The Boston stopper held onto a Liam Mandeville strike before Rowley was through again, wasting the opportunity as his shot found the side netting.

Chesterfield skipper Evans was in the right place to hook away Rollins' goalbound effort before Jordan Thewlis' snapshot flashed well wide.

Five minutes into the second half and Garner broke the deadlock, heading home Joe Leesley's deep corner after Wharton was unable to collect.

Thanoj saw another free kick flash wide before Fitzsimons also found himself on the scoresheet.

The keeper's clearance caught the swirling wind, the bounce catching Wharton out but the youngster's blushes spared and he collected the ball as it rebounded into his arms off the bar.

Sub Akwase Asante blasted wide for the Spireites before Hollis levelled with a neat glancing header in the 75th minute, guiding Jak McCourt's corner into the far corner.

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