Victory delight for Cullingworth

James Cullingworth

Full-back James Cullingworth provided two particularly telling set-piece deliveries as Boston United edged out Buxton at The Jakemans Stadium on Saturday.

Cullingworth took the 59th minute corner from which Shaun Pearson gave United the lead, before whipping in a free-kick deep into stoppage time which Liam Parker converted to win the match.

The former Nottingham Forest trainee played down his own impact and was simply delighted with United’s third successive home league victory.

Cullingworth told bufc.co.uk: “It was an excellent win. With 10 men, we did great and ground out a performance that we should all be proud of.

“We struggled to get going early on, with a slightly changed formation, but after the red card we went 4-4-1 and looked strong from then on.

“When Buxton equalised, we knew we still had five or six minutes to go, and with the heading ability of Shaun and Liam, you know you have a chance from set-pieces.

“We were better with 10 men, rather than 11, and rolled our sleeves up and each did that like bit extra.

“I certainly got an assist for the first goal, with Shaun making my corner look good. Liam produced a great finish to win the game and it was fantastic to win so late on.”

Tuesday’s clash against FC Halifax Town in the UniBond League Challenge Cup will afford United the opportunity to progress to the last four of the competition and Cullingworth is hoping for success on two fronts this season.

He added: “The league is very important and we want to get promotion into Conference North. However, the two Gaffers took Ilkeston to the Challenge Cup final last year, so hopefully we can do likewise this season.

“It’s a quarter-final against a big team, who will hopefully bring a few fans with them.

“We are chasing the win — with 11 men this time hopefully.”