Bristol Rovers 1 Boston United 1

Last updated : 19 February 2005 By Footymad Previewer
With 26 draws between them throughout the course of the season, it was no surprise that Bristol Rovers and Boston United shared a 1-1 draw at the Memorial Stadium.

It was also the fourth draw in the six games between the sides since Boston came into the Football League.

However the Lincolnshire side know they should have won having had all the clear cut chances go their way, including an astonishing miss in the first half when Andy Kirk ballooned wide of an empty net.

Rovers were told by manager Ian Atkins to throw everything into attack and managed a high total of shots on goal, while they also won 14 corners, but it took a late effort from Junior Agogo to save them a point.

In the first half chances were rare, although Kirk should have given Boston the lead when he took the ball off Christian Edwards. However, as he cut in from the left he hurried a shot high and well off target.

Rovers pinned their hopes on the energy of Robbie Ryan on the left flank and, early on, he put in a searching cross towards the far post which was well collected by keeper Nathan Abbey.

The first of Kirk's two misses were followed by an even more extraordinary one from Chris Holland in the 35th minute. With Ryan Clarke well out of his goal Holland, set up by Jason Lee, managed to shoot wide of an inviting net.

Boston could only blame themselves for that miss, but early in the second half they were frustrated by the referee when they were denied a penalty after Edwards appeared to handle right in front of goal.

The breakthrough for them came just shot of the hour as Rovers left back, Ryan failed to jump high enough to cut out a Danny Thomas cross and substitute Lee Thompson headed back across goal for Steven Boyack to supply the finish.

That lead was cancelled though 15 minutes later by the best move of the match which saw Agogo hit home following a good cross from Ryan Williams.