Boston United and Stamford both left it late to claim three points on a dramatic evening of Lincolnshire non-league football. Elsewhere, Spalding United surrendered a two-goal lead, Gainsborough Trinity’s winning run came to an end and there were draws for Sleaford Town and derby rivals Harrowby United and Louth Town.
Boston United 2-1 Gateshead
Tom Cursons came off the bench to score twice as Boston United fought back to beat Gateshead at the Jakemans Community Stadium. His winner arrived in the fifth minute of added time, securing the Pilgrims’ first home victory of the month.
Paul Hurst named an unchanged side following Saturday’s defeat, with Boston hoping to build on an improved performance. However, a cautious opening half-hour produced little of note at either end as both teams struggled to create a clear opportunity.
Ollie Bostock fired over in the 35th minute, but Gateshead took the lead almost immediately afterwards. Former Pilgrim Jordy Hiwula struck in the 36th minute, with his goal separating the sides at the interval after a first half short on goalmouth action.
Boston showed greater urgency after the break and created opportunities during the opening 15 minutes. The decisive change came in the 68th minute when Hurst introduced Cursons as part of a double substitution, giving United fresh impetus in attack.
The striker equalised in the 79th minute, following up after a fine save from the Gateshead goalkeeper. Boston pushed for a winner and, just as the visitors appeared to have held out for a point, Cursons struck again with virtually the final kick to complete the turnaround.
The victory provides a timely lift ahead of Saturday’s home derby against Scunthorpe United, when Boston will seek revenge for their recent cup defeat. The Iron will make the trip following Wednesday’s dismissal of Andy Butler, who lost his job after six defeats in seven National League matches.
Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat at Tamworth left Scunthorpe five points adrift of safety and proved to be Butler’s final match in charge. He had led the club to promotion from National League North in 2024-25 and fifth place last season, but their difficult start to this campaign has brought his tenure to an end.
Spalding United 2-2 Brackley Town
Spalding United were left frustrated after allowing a commanding position to slip against Brackley Town. The Tulips led 2-0 and appeared on course for victory, only for the visitors to fight back and claim a point.
Spalding started strongly, forcing Brackley back and looking the more likely side to break the deadlock. Bart Cybulski rewarded that pressure in the 31st minute, before an offside decision denied him another opportunity when through against the goalkeeper.
The hosts deserved their half-time advantage and continued to dictate the game after the restart. Joe Nyahwema doubled the lead with an excellent strike in the 58th minute, leaving Spalding firmly in control.
However, the Tulips dropped deeper and allowed Brackley to build momentum. During a spell of sustained pressure, the visitors scored twice, including once from the penalty spot, to bring themselves level.
That response sparked Spalding back into life, and they spent the final 15 minutes searching for a winner. Despite their pressure, they could not find a third goal and had to settle for a disappointing draw.
Gainsborough Trinity 0-3 Curzon Ashton
Gainsborough Trinity’s hopes of a sixth successive victory were ended by an impressive Curzon Ashton side. The visitors arrived in good form themselves and ultimately proved too strong, running out comfortable winners.
Curzon dominated the early exchanges before Trinity began to find their feet after around ten minutes. Gainsborough created a couple of half-chances, but it was the visitors who made the breakthrough at the other end.
Trinity came close to an equaliser when the ball struck the crossbar following a Fraser Preston cross. Curzon otherwise kept things tight and carried their one-goal advantage into half-time.
Gainsborough began the second half brightly, creating opportunities and winning a succession of corners without finding a way through. As the half wore on, Curzon became increasingly dangerous on the break and doubled their advantage in the 64th minute.
A third goal six minutes later effectively settled the contest. Trinity continued to search for a response, but there was no way back against visitors who deserved their victory.
Bishop’s Stortford 0-1 Stamford
Substitute Maks Jarzabek was Stamford’s hero as his stoppage-time goal secured victory at Bishop’s Stortford. Introduced in the 80th minute, he provided the decisive contribution to a closely fought encounter.
Stamford spent much of the first half defending against the home side’s attacks. Their back line held firm, though, ensuring they reached the interval with the game goalless.
The Daniels offered more going forward after the break as the match developed into an entertaining, end-to-end contest. Bishop’s Stortford struck the post in the 65th minute after a spell of Stamford pressure, while chances at both ends later in the half underlined how evenly matched the sides were.
A goalless draw appeared increasingly likely as the game entered added time. Jarzabek had other ideas, finding the net to reward Stamford’s resilience with all three points.
Sleaford Town 1-1 West Bridgford Colts
Lewis Smith struck in the 88th minute to rescue a point for Sleaford Town against West Bridgford Colts. The Greens had been hoping to strengthen their promotion challenge but needed a late intervention to avoid defeat.
The visitors began brightly and had the ball in the net after 15 minutes, only for an offside flag to cut short their celebrations. Sleaford gradually took control, forcing the visiting goalkeeper into several saves and sending other efforts narrowly wide, but the teams remained level at the break.
West Bridgford made their strong start to the second half count, taking the lead five minutes after the restart. Sleaford responded by making changes and pushing forward, although their pressure initially brought little reward.
With time running out, a succession of efforts caused a scramble in the visiting penalty area. Smith finally found the bottom-left corner to secure an important equaliser and ensure the Greens took something from the evening.
Harrowby United 1-1 Louth Town
Harrowby United and Louth Town shared the points after a competitive Lincolnshire derby. Both sides had opportunities to win it, but a draw was a fair reflection of a hard-fought contest.
Despite their position near the foot of the table, Louth arrived with confidence following five wins and six clean sheets in their previous seven league and cup matches. Harrowby, meanwhile, were looking to avenge a 4-0 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Chances came at both ends during a lively opening, with Louth hitting the post after 15 minutes. It was Harrowby who made the breakthrough, though, taking the lead in the 27th minute and retaining that advantage until half-time.
The White Wolves responded strongly after the interval, pushing the home defence back and equalising with a header from a corner on the hour. Harrowby then pressed for a winner, but Louth defended firmly and also threatened to take the points themselves.
Neither side could find a decisive second goal in the closing stages. Both had to settle for a point after an entertaining evening of derby football.
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