Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Pilgrims

Coca-Cola League

Boston United came away with a point from Wycombe's Causeway Stadium after loan-signing Francis Green had given the Pilgrims a first half lead, only to succumb to a goal from Matt Bloomfield after Stewart Talbot had been dismissed for a second bookable offence just before half-time. The Boston line-up contained six changes over the side that had been knocked out of the FA Cup by Doncaster on Sunday. A hamstring injury to top scorer Julian Joachim meant that Francis Green played up front with Lawrie Dudfield. Boston also played in their brand new red away strip for the first time - it's unlikely you will ever see a more blatant attempt by a football club to rip off their supporters by urging them to buy an uncalled for new replica shirt in the run up to Christmas. The home side had the first real chance of the game when Charlie Griffin headed a cross by Kevin Betsy goalwards, but keeper Michel Kuipers made a good save. Boston went in front on 21 minutes when Francis GREEN won the ball from Rob Lee before slotting home past Frank Talia.

Wycombe's best effort of the half came when Tommy Mooney broke through the Boston defence and forced Kuipers to parry his shot behind for a corner. In added time Boston suffered a major blow when Stewart Tablot was booked for the second time following a bad challenge on Matt Bloomfield. Reduced to ten men, Boston were put under immense pressure in the second half. Kuipers made an amazing save to keep out a header by Mooney. The pressure eventually produced a goal in the 71st minute when BLOOMFIELD slotted home from the edge of the area after being picked out by a square ball from Betsy. Boston somehow managed to hold out for the remaining twenty minutes without conceding further to come away with a very useful point against the league leaders. After the match Steve Evans said: "The referee is normally very good. We all have bad days at the office and maybe he just had a bad day."

United team: Michel Kuipers, Lee Canoville, Paul Ellender, Alan White, Austin McCann, Simon Rusk, Stewart Talbot, Chris Holland, Danny Thomas (David Galbraith 85), Francis Green (Noel Whelan 75), Lawrie Dudfield (Bradley Maylett 65). Subs not used: Ben Futcher, Jason Lee.