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Pilgrims 1-2 Darlington

Avon Insurance League

by Craig Singleton

An experimental Boston United reserve side crashed to a 2-1 home defeat on Monday. The Pilgrims' second string went down to visitors Darlington, who completed the league double in the process. Boston's line-up was an experimental one, with the Pilgrims fielding five trialists plus on-loan trio Michael Price, Lee Beevers and Rob Dickinson as well as youngster Ryan Clarke. The trial quintet was made up of right-back Richard Holmes from Notts County, Hull City winger Jamie Heard, Rotherham striker Andrew Middlebrook plus midfield duo Gavin Maughan and Colin McKenzie who were so impressive in the reserves' last home outing. After a dull opening from both sides on a slippery surface, Boston were first to threaten when Maughan drifted a 25-yarder over after Holmes' free-kick had been punched clear by Chris Porter. Darlington replied with Chris Hughes rifling in a long-range effort that deflected just wide off Beevers. Boston were in front in the 37th minute when David TOWN rammed the ball high into the net from 20 yards after turning his marker on the end of Dickinson's cross.

However, the lead was short-lived as Darlington equalised on 43 minutes when Ian CLARK's header was adjudged to have crossed the line from Mark Convery's corner although Price looked like he had kept the effort out. The second half was a tale of yellow cards, with referee Wayne McIntosh dishing out no fewer than six cautions. The most controversial of these yellow cards was awarded to Quakers keeper Porter in the 64th minute when he handled the ball outside his area as he intercepted Middlebrook's dash towards goal following Holmes' raking pass over the top. A red card seemed McIntosh's only option, but after a discussion with his assistant, the Lincoln official showed a yellow. The subsequent free-kick saw Boston go close. Substitute Mark Angel saw his 20-yard free-kick cannon back off the upright and McKenzie somehow screwed the rebound wide from six yards. The miss proved costly as Darlington nicked all three points in the 86th minute when sub Michael BOND, on the pitch for less than 60 seconds, netted. Bond proved he was the man with the golden touch as he fired his side into the lead with his very first touch, looping a shot over a stranded Price.

United team: 1. Price, 2. Holmes, 3. Gould, 4. Maughan (Hocking 72), 5. Clarke, 6. Beevers, 7. Heard, 8. McKenzie, 9. Town, 10. Middlebrook, 11. Dickinson (Angel 46). Subs (not used): N Thompson, Balmer, Conroy (gk).