Pilgrims 3-3 Notts County

Coca-Cola League

Old players often come back to haunt you, so with six former Pilgrims in the Notts County squad an upset looked likely. It didn't help that Boston were short of numbers themselves. They could only muster three substitutes as Drewe Broughton, Mark Greaves and Mark Albrighton were all out suspended and the injury crisis also ruled out a handful of players. Two new young loan signings helped bolster the squad - 22 year old centre half Ian Miller arriving from Ipswich and 20 year old midfielder Jason Kennedy from Middlesbrough. Convicted fraudster Steve Evans received a hostile reception from the crowd as he walked onto the pitch - being booed along with chants for him to go. Matters weren't helped when after just ten minutes Paul Ellender had to leave the pitch after a challenge by Austin McCann. He was replaced by Jamie STEVENS who made a dream debut by heading home a free kick to give Boston the lead on 24 minutes. Boston's joy was short lived as four minutes later Jason LEE levelled the scores with a long range drive.

County had two good chances to take the lead as the end of the half drew near. First Ian Ross fired wide, the Junior Mendes hit his effort over the bar. Within three minutes of the restart County had surged into a 3-1 lead. First Alan WHITE beat Andy Marriott with a well hit drive, then Jason LEE scored from close range following a mix up in the Boston defence. With fifteen minutes to go Anthony ELDING pulled a goal back by getting onto a cross into the box from Jamie Clarke to lob the ball over the 'keeper. The goal gave Boston some encouragement and it was no surprise when they equalised with three minutes of normal time remaining. Francis GREEN slotted home from close range after Clarke broke down the wing before delivering a killer cross to the Boston striker. After the match Steve Evans said: "If the results don't come, I'll pay with my job. It's fairly clear, deliver the results or I'm on the dole."

United team: Andy Marriott, Jamie Clarke, Ian Miller, Tim Ryan, Paul Ellender (Jamie Stevens 10), Jason Kennedy, Richie Ryan, David Farrell, Dany N'Guessan, Anthony Elding, Francis Green. Subs not used: Daniel Cotton, Chris Holland.