The Poachers scored three in quick succession after initially being 2-0 down thanks to a brace from Andy Whalen.

Greens boss Matt Evans named an unchanged 11 from the side that played out a goalless draw against Newark and Sherwood United two days prior. The game started off brightly and with a goal for Sleaford, as a free kick was crossed in from Ben Ashall, met by Ben Robson at the back post. His header was put back across the goal, which was met by Whalen, whose shot hit the underside of the bar and landed in.

The next 20 minutes were well controlled by the Greens, who dominated the ball and pushed forward to get a second, unable to do so. A nervy few minutes struck for Sleaford, as Boston created their main opportunity of the half just after the 25-minute mark. An initial shot was well saved by Jonaz Gadomski, before a follow-up was superbly cleared by Robson.

Jonathan Timmins had a flurry of chances in a short space of time for Sleaford, with two efforts tipped wide by Poachers keeper Jack Sellars, and a third smacking the post. Boston responded with a chance of their own, a header from a defender narrowly flying over the crossbar, much to the relief of the diving Gadomski.

Late in the half, Lewis Greenfield had a shot from distance which was close to going in but eventually landed just over the crossbar. After an hour gone, Sleaford doubled their lead. Whalen found himself through on goal after a great ball through, and he kept composed as he slotted the ball past Sellars, into the back of the net, much to the joy of the Sleaford players. Just under five minutes later, Boston got one back. A cross in was met at the back post by Jordan Tate, and he headed into an almost open net, giving the Poachers a lifeline.

The Greens found themselves level after 68 minutes. After the ball racketed against the crossbar, it landed to the head of Fraser Bayliss, who knocked it into an open net, with Gadomski and the Sleaford defence unable to get near it.

A third was found for Boston with five minutes of normal time left. Jordan Nuttall was the target at the back post from another cross, and he met it, knocking it in at the near post, with the Poachers wheeling away in celebration as the comeback was completed. The Greens had a penalty shout as the clock ticked on, a throw-in being met by the Boston defender and seeming to hit his hand, but the referee waved on as he didn’t feel there was enough in it to point to the spot.

Gadomski made a great save into stoppage time, after a shot from the Boston player was drilled towards goal, later being cleared for Sleaford to try and counter. Despite late pressure from The Greens to survive, they couldn’t find a third goal, with Boston Town leaving the MKM Ground with three points, and Sleaford having relegation confirmed in their final game of the season.

Written by FInley Smithson