Connor Teale forced a nervy finale but Boston United slumped to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Eastleigh on Saturday afternoon.
The Pilgrims were below their best and fell behind seven minutes before half-time through Jake Taylor’s strike.
Tyrese Shade doubled the Spitfires’ lead with 13 minutes to play and despite Teale reducing the arrears on the stroke of 90 minutes, the Pilgrims were unable to force a leveller in six minutes of stoppage time.
Martin Woods was recalled to the starting XI ahead of kick-off, with Dylan Hill dropping to the bench for the first time in a league fixture since August.
Early chances were limited, with Jai Rowe crashing a drive wide for the Pilgrims from 25 yards.
Eastleigh took the lead seven minutes before the break when Luis Fernandez crossed from the right and TAYLOR applied a deft touch in the centre of goal to guide the visitors in front.
Shade could have added a second before half-time, but Cameron Gregory’s trailing leg denied Eastleigh a second before the break.
Graham Coughlan, clearly unhappy with his side’s first half display, made four half-time changes and United responded with a flurry of early corners after the break.
Jacob Hazel thumped home what he thought was an equaliser – but the offside flag was promptly raised to curtail United’s celebrations.
Eastleigh killed off the contest in the 77th minute when SHADE charged into the penalty area, evaded Nicholson and Tony Weston, before slamming a rising drive past an exposed Gregory.
United gave themselves brief hope when TEALE glanced home Frankie Maguire’s free-kick delivery, but they ultimately ran out of time in their pursuit of a leveller.
Boston (4-2-3-1): Cameron Gregory; Jai Rowe, Zak Mills, Connor Teale, Brad Nicholson; Jordan Richards (Dylan Hill 46), Martin Woods (James Gale 71); Keaton Ward (Tony Weston 46), Jimmy Knowles (Adam Marriott 46), Cameron Green (Frankie Maguire 46); Jacob Hazel. Subs (not used): Kieran Coates, Jake Lovelace (gk).
Eastleigh (3-5-2): Joe McDonnell; Luis Fernandez, Ludwig Francillette, Niall Maher; Lee Hodson, Jake Taylor (Jeserun Uchegbulam 65), Angel Wariuh, Ben Close (Lloyd Humphries 59), Noa Boutin (Corey Panter 88); Tyrese Shade (Connor Underhill 82), Scott Quigley. Subs (not used): Joe Ryan, Tommy Scott (gk).
Referee: Aaron Jackson.
Attendance: 1,832 (46 visitors).
PIC: Chris Bray.
