Boston United came back from a goal down to earn a valuable point on Saturday afternoon – but found ex-Pilgrim Marcus Dewhurst in an inspired mood.
Visitors Aldershot Town took a 29th minute lead through Josh Barrett and Dewhurst intervened before half-time to keep out Dan Mooney’s spot-kick and subsequent follow-up.
Dewhurst twice denied substitute Tony Weston after the break – although Jacob Hazel did lash in the rebound from the second save with 17 minutes to play.
United’s afternoon was marred by an early injury for left-back Mitch Roberts. United’s number 4 was stretchered off with suspected ankle ligament damage.
Aldershot edged in front after United failed to clear their lines, with BARRETT curling home a beauty from 20 yards.
United responded with Hazel lifting an effort high and wide from six yards – before winning a penalty courtesy of a Christian Maghoma foul. Dewhurst spectacularly denied Mooney twice in quick succession to keep his side in front.
Sam Osborne whistled an effort wide in first half stoppage time, with many United fans believing it had actually crept inside the post on first inspection.
Dewhurst made a fine save to keep out Weston after the break, while Hazel saw a goal ruled out for offside. However, the Pilgrims finally levelled in the 73rd minute when HAZEL rifled home an angled strike after Dewhurst had turned aside another Weston shot.
Frankie Maguire was denied by a fine save from his former Sheffield United colleague Dewhurst in the closing stages as United’s former loanee ensured his side secured a share of the spoils.
Boston (4-3-3): Cameron Gregory; Jai Rowe, Michael Bostwick, Zak Mills, Mitch Roberts (Cameron Green 20); Keaton Ward (Adam Marriott 77), Frankie Maguire, Dylan Hill; Sam Osborne (Tony Weston 61), Jacob Hazel, Dan Mooney (Pemi Aderoju 61). Subs (not used): Tom Leak, Martin Woods, Ellis Craven (gk).
Aldershot (4-1-4-1): Marcus Dewhurst; Aaron Jones (Dejan Tetek 83), Lachlan Byrd, Christian Maghoma, Ollie Harfield; Theo Widdrington; James Henry (Kai Corbett 55), Cameron Hargreaves, Josh Barrett (Hady Ghandour 55), Olly Scott (Ryan Jones 84); Jack Barham (Haydon Vaughan 88). Subs (not used): Rollin Menayese, Jordi van Stappershoef (gk).
Referee: Andrew Miller.
Attendance: 1,949 (204 visitors).
PIC: Russell Dossett.
