AFC Telford 2 Boston 2 - Report and pictures

First-half efforts from Robbie Paratore and Dave Hibbert looked to have given the hosts a comfortable half-time lead.

But debutant Jake Hibbs saw red and Boston used their numerical advantage to claw the deficit back.

The Bucks took just five minutes to open the scoring through Paratore's first AFC Telford strike, but both he and Rob Smith's men should have been ahead before that.

Darren Campion's scuffed cross shot fell to the midfielder whose shimmy took him into the six yard box, but he found Henrich Ravas' chest as the golkeeper spread himself.

But, within a couple of minutes, the former Leicester City man made amends, he took advantage of the ball fortunately falling into his path by cutting inside and finding the far corner via a deflection.

With the New Bucks Head rocking, Telford continued their fine start and the lively Connor McCarthy headed downwards into Ravas from Campion's cross.

Debutant Jake Hibbs had endeared himself to his new supporters with plenty of early trickery and hard work.

He was extremely unlucky to see a 30-yard left-footed strike fly just wide with the aid of a slight Ravas fingertip.

The hosts first real moment of danger came 20 minutes in as dangerman Dayle Southwell was inches away from connecting with Carl Piergianni's flick from a deep free-kick.

But the Bucks' relentless first half continued as Piergianni had to be very lively to block a fierce Paratore shot, after Hibbs had found him.

McCarthy then saw a snapshot on the turn blocked in the visitor's penalty area.

Dwayne Samuels looked to be continuing his fine form at right-back and his interception set up a fine Paratore break.

The goalscorer fed McCarthy down the left whose low cross almost found Hibbert.

Boston came their closest just after the half hour as Piergianni, who scored the winner a fortnight ago, crashed a header against the crossbar from Grant Roberts' corner.

Moments later, from the resulting goal kick Smith's men doubled their lead.

Goalkeeper James Montgomery's long clearance bounced over McCarthy and Piergianni for Hibbert to crack a 25 yard half-volley beyond Ravas.

The Lincolnshire visitors were almost back in it within an instant, as Mark Jones connected well and saw a fierce header fly just wide.

Another menacing Montgomery clearance almost saw the Bucks in immediately after the restart, dropping to McCarthy whose dinked ball would have put Hibbert in but for the terrific interception of Piergianni.

The first blot on Smith's side's copy came six minutes into the second period as Hibbs collected his second yellow for an unnecessary lunge after giving the ball away.

Salt was then rubbed into the Bucks wounds, as Piergianni steered in a header from the resulting Dylan McEvoy free-kick.

Montgomery came to meet the cross but was beaten to the ball by the powerful defender.

Despite Smith sacrificing scorer Hibbert for Curtis Tilt, Boston made their numerical advantage count on 65 minutes.

Jordan Richards centered from the left for top scorer Southwell to finish cooly from six yards.

The hosts were surviving by the skin of their teeth as Tilt did well to block Jones' effort after a bit of pinball in the area, before Southwell flicked over Montgomery's goal.

Despite the visitor's second half dominance, Smith threw forward Ryan Rowe on for Graham Hutchison, who looked to have picked up a knock, and Rowe went close to handing his side back the lead.

Persistent work from Paratore down the right was followed by Jack Rea's through ball into Rowe.

The forward deliciously curled first-time towards the far corner and was only denied by a spectacular Ravas save at full-stretch.

To their credit, the 10 men of Smith had the better of the game's final quarter and looked to have snuck a winner.

But McCarthy was unable to get proper connection on a low Rowe cross midway through the six minutes of added time.

Both teams were surging for a winner but the New Bucks Head seemed content with the effort put in by their men despite sacrificing a two-goal cushion.