Jarrett at the double to clinch United win

'Faz' gets stuck in

Albert Jarrett struck the decisive blows as Boston United finally hit a winning note to sink Bristol Rovers at the Staffsmart Stadium on Saturday.

Jarrett scored a third minute penalty and then buried an excellent strike six minutes later to give the Pilgrims an ideal start and despite a Lewis Haldane consolation in the 68th minute, United held on for a deserved and priceless three points.

Drewe Broughton also saw two efforts come back off Steve Phillips’ goal frame, meaning United’s margin of victory could have been greater, but they were more than content to draw themselves level on points with Wrexham and Accrington Stanley in the battle for survival at the foot of Coca-Cola League Two.

Boston boss Steve Evans had made two changes to his starting line-up prior to kick-off, with Stewart Talbot and Jamie Clarke being preferred to Ernie Cooksey and Jamie Stevens. Jarrett also passed a late fitness test to take his place behind the front two of Broughton and Nathan Joynes.

Boston took the lead in the second minute when Sam Oji was penalised for handball in the area. Clarke had seen his free-kick blocked by the Rovers wall and then Oji made a mess of clearing the loose ball. Jarrett stepped up from the penalty spot, to convert United’s first spot-kick since September.

Heads up

Good approach play from the visitors saw Sammy Igoe afforded space down the right and his low centre was nodded against the outside of Marriott’s post by Craig Disley. The hosts took full advantage of their good fortune and doubled their advantage in the ninth minute, when Jarrett curled home a beautiful angled drive into the far corner, following great play from Joynes.

Jarrett was at the thick of the action again when he provided the right-wing cross for Broughton to head against the bar and Steve Elliott nodded the loose ball behind, as Rovers clung on for dear life.

Boston had another huge penalty appeal waved away when Oji hauled Broughton to the deck, after misjudging a long ball forward, but referee Colin Webster waved play on.

Rovers’ midfielder Chris Lines was given space to advance into the Boston area, but Andy Marriott did well to gather his deflected effort from 16 yards to preserve United’s two-goal lead. Phillips then gathered Jarrett’s effort from 20 yards, as the Watford loanee sensed a hat-trick goal.

Marriott made a good block on the stroke of half-time to thwart Joe Jacobson’s drive, following Igoe’s precision pass, ensuring United’s advantage remained unaltered at the interval.

Rovers made a double change at half-time, with Andy Sandell and Haldane replacing Jacobson and Richard Walker.

The late barrage

Marriott’s long clearance downfield was helped on by Joynes and Broughton’s 15-yard lob dropped wide, off the outside of Phillips’ left-hand post.

Boston continued to probe on the offensive, while keeping the visitors at bay and Jarrett and Joynes remained particularly lively in attack.

However, Rovers cut the deficit in the 68th minute when Haldane turned the ball home from close-range, after Chris Carruthers had crossed neatly from the left.

Boston were forced into their second change when Greaves was clattered by Sean Rigg and was unable to continue. Shane Nicholson was his replacement, with Brad Thomas switching sides to the right of defence.

Bristol forced a flurry of late corners and free-kicks, with goalkeeper Phillips venturing forward on more than one occasion, but the hosts defended valiantly and held on for a full three-point haul.

Boston (3-4-1-2): Marriott; Greaves (Nicholson 79), Cryan, Thomas; Clarke, Ellender, Talbot (Cooksey 55), Farrell; Jarrett (Green 82), Broughton, Joynes. Subs (not used): Galbraith, Stevens.

Bristol Rovers (4-4-2): Phillips; Lescott, Oji, Elliott, Carruthers; Igoe, Lines (Rigg 65), Disley, Jacobson (Sandell 46); Lambert, Walker (Haldane 46). Subs (not used): Hinton, Anthony.