Tom Cursons scored a stoppage time equaliser as Boston United fought back for a share of the spoils on a windswept night at the Jakemans Community Stadium.
The Pilgrims were superb in the early stages against Altrincham, taking the lead through a sublime Luca Barrington effort after 12 minutes, but found visiting keeper Luke Hutchinson in brilliant form to prevent the lead being extended.
Declan Howe and ex-Pilgrim Jimmy Knowles turned the tables after the break and it looked like United would be frustrated – only for Cursons to swoop at the death after a rare Hutchinson error.
United had re-jigged their XI ahead of kick-off, with Jake Rooney (hamstring) and Frankie Maguire (suspension) missing out.
Paul Hurst’s charges started well and took an early lead when BARRINGTON curled home a left-footed beauty from 25 yards.
Hutchinson denied Barrington again, before making a pair of quality stops to deny Jordy Hiwula. Another save followed to deny Lenell John-Lewis.
Altrincham levelled two minutes after half-time when a raking throughball saw HOWE run on and nonchalantly chip an exposed Dan Cameron.
The Pilgrims had a great chance to re-take the lead when Barrington sidefooted narrowly wide following a Marcel Lavinier cross from the right.
However, Altrincham took the lead a minute later when Tylor Golden crossed from the left and KNOWLES slammed the ball home from close-range.
United cranked up the pressure in the closing stages – with Ken Aboh, Cursons and Jacob Hazel all introduced from the bench. It was Hazel’s first competitive outing since April 2025.
United’s salvation arrived in the third additional minute when Hutchinson misjudged Matty Carson’s corner delivery to the near post and CURSONS headed home on the line.
Boston (4-3-2-1): Dan Cameron; Marcel Lavinier, Connor Teale, Jamie Grimes, Matty Carson; Oisin Gallagher (Jacob Hazel 84), Jordan Richards, Greg Sloggett (Arjan Raikhy 84); Jordy Hiwula, Luca Barrington (Ken Aboh 69); Lenell John-Lewis (Tom Cursons 75). Subs (not used): Zak Mills, Alex Lankshear, Rhys Lovett (gk).
Altrincham (3-5-2): Luke Hutchinson, Sam Barnes (Dan Sassi 75), Josh Grant, Eddy Jones; Kahrel Reddin (Charlie Kirk 75), Liam Humbles (Sam Reed 84), Tom Crawford, Isaac Marriott, Tylor Golden; Jimmy Knowles (Lucas Weaver 84), Declan Howe (Jake Cooper 90). Subs (not used): Owen German, Louie Fallon (gk).
Referee: Richie Watkins.
Attendance: 1,465 (35 visitors).
PIC: Chris Bray.
WORDS: Craig Singleton
