Two set-pieces, one in each half, were the difference between Holbeach United looking forward to two cup finals this season and only one.

In a game where quality football was hard to find, the Tigers bowed out of the Lincolnshire FA Senior Trophy at the semi-final to a gritty and fiesty Boston Town.

Danny Hussey's prediction that his Holbeach side would come up against a highly motivated Poachers outfit proved disappointingly accurate, helped by a hostile atmosphere at the DWB Stadium.

Boston started the game determined to treat it as an all-or-nothing 90 minutes given their current position of ninth in the United Counties League Premier Division, 12 points behind their title chasing opponents.

But for the entire first half, Hussey's side showed precious little of the form that saw them complete a league double over the Poachers by an aggregate score of 4-2.

A 20-yard strike from Holbeach captain Spencer Tinkler after a ball into the box came out to him was the only effort on target before Boston took the lead from the first of their set-piece successes.

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Spencer Tinkler leads Holbeach United onto the field for their Lincs FA Senior Trophy semi-final against Boston Town at the DWB Stadium. Photo by Tim Wilson. SG-180220-100TW.

When Tigers defender Nick Jackson fouled Boston's 18-year-old on-loan winger Rodrigo Silva about 20 yards from goal, the signs were ominous for Holbeach.

So it proved when ex-Holbeach midfielder Lee Beeson curled a superb effort to the left of Tigers' goalkeeper Ricky Drury to put the Poachers ahead midway through the first half.

The visitors almost gave their former player a chance to repeat the trick just minutes later, with Beeson opting for pace in taking his second free kick.

A low shot was parried by Drury straight to Boston full back Fraser Bayliss who somehow managed to spray the ball across goal from inside the 12-yard box.

The only other item of note in the first half were the number of names taken by referee Alex Sawden, two each for Boston and Holbeach, as the "battle" Tigers' manager Hussey had expected turned into reality.

In the second half, though, the visitors changed tack and decided to impose their easier-on-the-eye passing game onto the hosts.

Good link-up play in midfield almost let in Jonny Lockie for the equaliser before Tinkler's header from a Danny Setchell corner almost found its way into the Boston net.

A goal for Holbeach came soon afterwards when hesitation in the Poachers' defence allowed Michael Frew to pounce on a loose ball, round Boston keeper Travis Portas and slide the ball into an empty net.

The Tigers were now on top but apart from a couple of shots by Adam Jackson, no real golden chances were created.

At the other end, Boston striker Luke White almost caught Holbeach on the break before Nick Jackson got back in time to clear the danger.

But just when the semi-final seemed destined to be settled on penalties, Tigers' substitute Jack Withers conceded a corner on the 90-minute mark.

This time Beeson turned provider as his corner was headed home powerfully by substitute Chris Shipley to send the home fans wild as their side booked a final date against Grimsby Borough.

BOSTON TOWN

4-1-3-2: Portas; Bayliss, Ford, Watkins, Tate; Parker (sub Pinner 67 mins; Silva, Beeson, Cunliffe (sub Shipley 83 mins); Beck (sub Muirhead 90 mins), White. Subs not used: Warren, Radacun.

HOLBEACH UNITED

4-4-2: Drury; Wilson (sub Withers 71 mins), Fairweather, N. Jackson, Smith; Setchell, Tinkler, A. Jackson, Bird; Lockie, Frew. Subs not used: Ford, Oliver, Nicholson, Coote.

REFEREE

Alex Sawden.

GOALS

Beeson (22 mins, 1-0); Frew (57 mins, 1-1); Shipley (90 mins, 2-1).

BOOKINGS

Beeson, Beck, Silva, Wilson, Smith, Fairweather (fouls).

ATTENDANCE

92.

STAR MAN

Spencer Tinkler - kept his side from being drawn into a dogfight from the off, constantly encouraging his team-mates to keep their heads and believe in their ability to beat Boston by playing better football. The Tigers' captain also had a few chances on goal himself which were not far off from going in.

WHO'S NEXT?

Leicester Nirvana (H) - Saturday (United Counties League Premier Division).