'We have to do it against teams in and around us now' - Boston United boss issues challenge to players after York City draw
Boss Graham Coughlan has challenged his Boston players to do the business against teams in and around them during the second half of the season.
The Pilgrims again showed they can rise to the occasion against the league’s big boys following a thrilling 2-2 Boxing Day draw at York City.
And Coughlan now wants his United side to show they can also rise to the challenge when they face the National League’s less glamorous sides.
“We have more than competed with the top teams, but can we do it against the teams in and around us and mid table teams?,” he said.
“When the quality is needed to put our foot on the ball and to have composure, can we do it then? I've no doubt we can do it against the top teams which we have shown, but the challenge is to do it against the rest.”
Boston were seconds away from a stunning victory before Josh Stones struck an equaliser in the seventh minute of stoppage-time.
But Coughlan remained upbeat despite the initial disappointment of failing to take all three points home.
“We can talk about if, buts and maybe but I have to be delighted with a point,” he said.
“Our second half performance was really strong and our organisation and structure was good in the first half.
“We had to manage the game in periods and weather a storm. Once we got through that I was really pleased with how we played and our shape.
“The players showed a bit more composure and that quality that we have been asking for.
“There are not many teams who will leave here with a point. We could have won that game and I have to give the lads , the crowd and everyone at Boston a tap on the back.
The fans were brilliant, they sang and cheered and drove us on, it's just a shame we couldn't have given them the three points.
“It's tough to concede late on and hopefully that luck will swing in our favour in the final 23 games.”
The Pilgrims were fortunate to be only a goal behind at the break - scored by Ollie Pearce seven minutes before half-time - but United were a different animal in the second half and responded through Alex Lankshear and Connor Teale, after Ollie Banks' red card for York.
The Minstermen snatched a leveller in the seventh minute of additional time through Josh Stones to ensure a festive stalemate, in front of a huge 7,935 crowd, including 459 travelling Pilgrims.