Boston United picked up a point on the road in Saturday’s early evening kick-off – but it could have been more after missed chances against Braintree Town.
The Pilgrims were wasteful when good opportunities presented themselves, particularly in the first half, with Alex Lankshear rattling the crossbar in the process.
Braintree were not without chances too – although the closest they came was through Lewis Walker’s first minute effort which cannoned back off the post.
With Matty Carson and Ken Aboh selected from the start, United were eager for a fast start – but it was Braintree who spurned two early chances. Walker rattled the post inside 60 seconds and Rhys Lovett was called into action to deny Aramide Oteh two minutes later.
United began to assert themselves, with Lankshear heading against the crossbar following Aboh’s cross from the right and Mason Terry making quickfire saves to twice deny Frankie Maguire.
Oisin Gallagher whistled an effort wide for the Pilgrims, before turning provider for Lenell John-Lewis to seemingly hand United the lead – only for the frontman to miss the ball in front of goal.
Lovett made a decent stop to thwart Jacob Pinnington before the break, before John-Lewis lifted two efforts off target for the visitors.
Chances were more sporadic after the break – with Walker missing a good chance for the Iron and Jordan Richards drilling wide for the Pilgrims after good play from the lively Aboh.
Braintree (3-5-2): Mason Terry; George Langston, Manny Omrore, Aidan Francis-Clarke; Jacob Pinnington, Harrison Dudziak, James Vennings, Goran Babic (Sahid Kamara 77), Ben Drake; Lewis Walker (John Akinde 67), Aramide Oteh (Jay Emmanuel-Thomas 67). Subs (not used): Freddie Hockey, Calum Logan.
Boston (4-3-2-1): Rhys Lovett; Connor Teale, Adam Crowther, Alex Lankshear, Matty Carson; Oisin Gallagher, Jordan Richards, Greg Sloggett; Ken Aboh (Kieren Donnelly 88), Frankie Maguire (Liam Waldock 88); Lenell John-Lewis (Jordy Hiwula 68). Subs (not used): Dylan Hill, Marcel Lavinier, Killian Barrett (gk).
Referee: Aji Ajibola.
Attendance: 910 (115 visitors).
PIC: Chris Bray.
