Boston United suffer first defeat of season on the road at AFC Fylde

AFC Fylde 2 Boston United 1
Four in six for Jordan Burrow. Photo: Oliver AtkinFour in six for Jordan Burrow. Photo: Oliver Atkin
Four in six for Jordan Burrow. Photo: Oliver Atkin

Boston United suffered their first defeat of the season - and first away defeat of 2020 - as they went down 2-1 at AFC Fylde.

Jordan Burrow gave the Pilgrims an early lead, but as the minutes ticked down the full time side came into their own while United - playing their first 90 minutes in four weeks - visibly tired.

The result leaves Boston 13th in the National League North, but with as many as six games in hand on the teams above them.

Burrow got the Pilgrims off to a dream start as they returned from two weeks of self isolation, netting his fourth goal in six matches since returning to the club.

With 20 minutes on the clock the striker latched onto the loose ball after Coasters keeper Chris had parried an drive by Terry Hawkridge, slotting into the inviting net.

Hawkridge forced two good saves from Neal as the half progressed while Fylde's Jordan Hulme was thwarted by the legs of Ross Fitzsimons after he broke clear.

Fitzsimons could only watch as Nick Haughton - the Pilgrims' tormentor as he netted a hat-trick for Chorley in a 4-3 FA Cup win at Boston in 2017 - rattled his bar with swirling effort from distance early in the second half.

There was little Fitzsimons could do as the hosts levelled in the 54th minute, Liam Nolan's 20-yarder taking a deflection as it crept through the pack.

As the half progressed it became apparent who was the full time side and who hadn't completed a match in four weeks. The hosts had a spring in their step while small errors were creeping into Boston's game.

Persistence paid off as Fylde took a 64th-minute lead, Nathan Shaw slotting home after Hulme refused to give up on the byline.

Jay Rollins, back from injury, made his first appearance of the season as Craig Elliott made a triple change, Jordan Thewlis and Joe Leesley also joining thw action as they replaced debutant Mitch Rose, Hawkridge and Fraser Preston.

However, the hosts held on for the points.

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