Boston United exited the Isuzu FA Trophy on penalties for the fifth time in six seasons on Saturday afternoon.
The Pilgrims drew 1-1 with National League rivals Tamworth, having fought back from Stefan Mols’ 48th minute opener to equalise through Frankie Maguire with 16 minutes to play.
After finding themselves 2-0 down in the shootout, United fought back into contention – but Jas Singh saves to deny Lenell John-Lewis and Kieren Donnelly and Marcel Lavinier blazing over the bar proved costly.
Killian Barrett was preferred to Rhys Lovett in goal, while Alex Lankshear replaced an injured Matty Carson at left-back.
The early stages were keenly-contested – with the main talking point being the withdrawal of skipper Greg Sloggett following a blow to the head.
Maguire curled a 25-yard free-kick narrowly off target, while the Pilgrims survived a series of trademark Tom Tonks long throws.
Singh, so often United’s nemesis in years gone by, saved well from John-Lewis before half-time following Lavinier’s cross from the right.
United fell behind three minutes after the break when referee Aaron Jackson ignored Jordan Cullinane-Liburd’s foul on Waldock and with the ball flicked on by Oliver Lynch, MOLS steadied himself to beat Barrett from close-range.
The Pilgrims responded positively and equalised in the 74th minute when Donnelly flicked the ball round the corner for Dylan Hill to motor down the left and pull it back for MAGUIRE to control, run on and beat Singh with a low drive from inside the area.
The 90 minutes concluded without any further major chances on either side and United soon found themselves 2-0 down in the shootout, with Singh denying John-Lewis and Donnelly, while Mols and Lynch converted for the Lambs.
Jordy Hiwula and Maguire scored – with Barrett denying Ronan Maher and substitute Ben Acquaye rattling the post to leave it level at 2-2 after four penalties apiece.
The drama continued with Singh denying Oisin Gallagher, only for a retake to be ordered for encroachment, which was scored, while Haydn Hollis, Jordan Richards for the Pilgrims and Kai Lissimore continued the scoring streak.
With the contest now deadlocked at 4-4 after six penalties each, Lavinier blazed over the bar and Alfie Bates clinched Tamworth’s progress with their fifth successful conversion – sealing the Pilgrims’ second shootout defeat to the Lambs inside four seasons.
Tamworth (4-2-3-1): Jas Singh; Matt Curley, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, Haydn Hollis, Joe Rye; Alfie Bates, Tom Tonks (Kai Lissimore 77); Beck-Ray Enoru (Ben Acquaye 90), Stefan Mols, Ronan Maher; Oliver Lynch. Subs (not used): Kennedy Digie, Kwaku Donkor, Rueben Wyatt, Lucas Brown, Daniel Rachel (gk).
Boston (4-2-3-1): Killian Barrett; Marcel Lavinier, Oisin Gallagher, Adam Crowther, Alex Lankshear; Jordan Richards, Greg Sloggett (Liam Waldock 27, Kieren Donnelly 66); Ken Aboh (Connor Teale 80), Frankie Maguire, Dylan Hill (Jordy Hiwula 90); Lenell John-Lewis. Subs (not used): Ben Grist, Michael Kelly, Rhys Lovett (gk).
Referee: Aaron Jackson.
PIC: Oliver Atkin.
Attendance: 715 (149 visitors).
