The sun set on Boston Town’s FA Vase campaign in cruel fashion.
Two late, late goals knocked them out after a thrilling 3rd round tie that could have gone either way.
Worcester City struck two devastating blows in the dying minutes just as Martyn Bunce’s side were eyeing up another penalty shoot-out.
The visitors are flying high at the top of the Hellenic Premier League and came into the tie as firm favourites. But the Poachers were on the front foot from the off, pressing high and hustling Worcester out of their stride.
Boston held the upper hand in the first 45 minutes, although clear-cut chances were at a premium for both sides.
Lee Beeson’s dead balls and Luke Wilson’s long throws were a regular source of danger for the Worcester defence and there were chances for Layton Maddison, Liam Adams and Jordan Tate.
Jordan Nuttell was also a menacing presence in the air but the hosts couldn’t make that all-important breakthrough.
After the break, Worcester got more of a foothold in the game but it was an hour before Worcester managed an effort on target, a tame header that went straight into Portas’s arms.
Fraser Bayliss lashed a powerful shot over the bar after a neat turn early in the second half before Bunce threw on Harry Limb and Marshall Young in search of that elusive goal . As the clock ticked towards penalties, the game started to open up and Worcester looked more menacing, particularly on the counter-attack.
Boston were always a threat as well. A short corner led to a goalmouth scramble that was eventually clawed away by Haydn Whitcombe and there were loud shouts from home fans for a penalty for handball. The lively Limb was also denied by Whitcombe after a weaving run on the left.
But with seconds of normal time to go, Dylan Hart found the space to turn home a cross from Liam Lockett. Boston sent on Lucan Dakin to chase an equaliser in added time but as they threw caution to the win, Kyle Belmonte made it 2-0 in the dying moments.
Bunce said the club could be proud of his side’s performance, while Worcester manager Chris Cornes admitted his team had ridden their luck.
He told the Worcester News: “They were a really good side. Their league form and position in the table doesn’t really add up on the back of that performance, they are not a bad side at all.
“Testament to them, they soaked up a lot of pressure but so did we. They had some really good chances and probably two or three where they should have scored and that’s probably the difference today.”
Town: Portas, Worthington, Field (Dakin), Tate, Ford, Wilson, Beeson (Young), Maddison, Nuttell (Limb), Adams, Bayliss: unused subs: Borbely, Bad, Langford
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