PILGRIMS FIRE LATE TO STUN THE IRON
JACOB HAZEL put a dent in Scunthorpe’s National League North title pursuit as Boston United twice came from behind to earn a deserved point against their high-flying hosts.
A first-half double from former Pilgrims striker Danny Elliott had the Iron on the verge of a seventh victory in eight games – but after defender Tom Leak had levelled earlier on, former Darlington man Hazel clinically fired home a second equaliser as the game entered five minutes of stoppage time.
“There’s no better feeling than a late goal, but I thought we were well worth a point following our second-half performance,” Boston boss Ian Culverhouse said.
“We were lucky to only go in at half-time 2-1 down because Scunthorpe were very good in the first half, and we were passive.
“But I’ve got to praise the boys to the hilt for the second-half performance because they were tremendous. The response was superb. This result will do this group the world of good as not many teams will come here and play like we did in the second half.”
Scunthorpe had gone close on a couple of occasions when Elliott fired his side in front from the penalty spot in the tenth minute after Roberts had been fouled in the box.
In contrast, Boston had barely threatened before equalising in the 34th minute when Leak reacted quickest to stab home after a corner had bounced against a post.
The visitors, backed by more than 500 fans, were level for just eight minutes when Kian Scales found space out on the right and crossed for Elliott to side-foot home from inside the six-yard box.
Boston were better after the break, and dominated for long spells. Yet just when it looked like they might have run out of time to claim a point, Hazel curled home from the edge of the area to extend the Pilgrims’ unbeaten run to five.
“We feel it’s two points dropped on the balance of game,” Scunthorpe manager Jimmy Dean said.
“First half we should have been out of sight and in the second half we allowed the game to be played more on their terms. Both goals we conceded were disappointing.”