Jai Rowe scored his second goal of the season as Boston United fought back to claim a share of the spoils against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday afternoon.
The Pilgrims trailed to Dylan Stephenson’s well-taken 27th minute opener at the Jakemans Community Stadium – but they levelled 12 minutes later through Rowe’s fine long-range strike.
United had a number of chances to claim all three points after the break, particularly with Jordan Richards hitting the post and substitute Adam Marriott being denied by Elliot Justham with the last kick of the game.
York City loanee Billy Chadwick was included from the start, while there was also a recall for Jacob Hazel in attack.
United started at a good intensity, although early chances were at a premium, with Justham saving with his legs to keep out an angled effort from Hazel.
Dagenham took the lead when Junior Morias picked out STEPHENSON with a delightful throughball and he ran on to fire past Aidan Stone with a neat, angled finish.
Parity was restored a dozen minutes later when Chadwick was unable to get a shot away and teed up ROWE instead, who blasted home low to Justham’s right from 20 yards.
United had the better chances after the break, with Frankie Maguire drilling narrowly wide after being played clear by Keaton Ward, while Christian N’Guessan produced a brilliant covering challenge to deny an otherwise clean through Chadwick.
Justham turned aside a drive from Maguire, with Richards striking the base of the post in United’s next attack.
The Dagenham keeper made another save from Maguire as stoppage time ticked nearer and United were presented with a glorious chance with the last kick of the game, with Marriott meeting fellow sub Dan Mooney’s free-kick delivery – but firing straight at Justham.
Boston (4-2-3-1): Aidan Stone; Jai Rowe, Michael Bostwick, Zak Mills, Cameron Green; Jordan Richards, Dylan Hill; Keaton Ward (Sam Osborne 70), Billy Chadwick (Dan Mooney 88), Frankie Maguire (Adam Marriott 90); Jacob Hazel (Pemi Aderoju 73). Subs (not used): Kieran Coates, Tom Leak, Jake Lovelace (gk).
Dagenham (4-2-3-1): Elliot Justham; Oscar Rutherford, Tom Eastman, Romoney Crichlow, Luca Woodhouse; Harry Phipps (Frank Vincent 78), Christian N’Guessan; Ryan Hill, Junior Morias, Dion Pereira; Dylan Stephenson (Ruben Vigrass 86). Subs (not used): Shiloh Remy, Trent Rendall, Jason Adigun, Paul Kalambayi, Nathan Harvey (gk).
Referee: Steven Copeland.
Attendance: 2,039 (182 visitors).
PIC: Chris Bray.
