Boston Town claimed their first ever away point against Grantham Town.
This goalless stalemate was also the Poachers’ fourth clean sheet in a row and saw them extend their unbeaten run to 10 games.
But although the result was a fair reflection of the balance of play over 90 minutes, the visitors will nevertheless be ruing this as a missed opportunity.
They started brightly in misty conditions and Grantham could barely lay a glove on them for the first half an hour.
Chris Funnell’s side carved out a number of opportunities but couldn’t capitalise. Jordan Tate skied an opening and Matt Cotton forced Gingerbreads keeper Jack Steggles into a fingertip save. Jordan Nuttell, making his first league start since August, also had a glorious chance but couldn’t find the target.
Boston had played some inventive football throughout the first half, with Cotton, Harry Limb, Zak Munton and Layton Maddison all linking up well.
They couldn’t reproduce that fluency after the interval as the hosts grew more into the game. But Cotton came closest to scoring when his shot was deflected onto the woodwork.
It didn’t feel like there was much to celebrate when the final whistle went, but the Poachers have now conceded just one goal in seven games.
The wait for a victory against Grantham Town goes on – that’s now 17 matches without a win against the Gingerbreads since the sides first met in 1965.
This was the first time the Poachers had ever avoided defeat in an away match against Grantham. Their previous eight fixtures had all ended in defeat, with an eye-watering aggregate scoreline of 29-0.
Boston Town remain top of the United Counties League Premier North, but Sherwood Colliery won 2-1 at Belper United to cut their lead to two points.
On Saturday (27 December), the Poachers have another derby when they travel to Skegness Town. Kick-off is at the earlier time of 1pm.
Town: Portas, Gibbons, Smith (Hudson), Tate (Burdass), Ford, Wilson, Munton (Bayliss), Maddison Nuttell, Limb, Cotton; unused subs: Gurney, Priestley
Boston Town FC 