LOUGHBOROUGH Dynamo enjoyed their day in the FA Cup sun, but there was to be no fairy-tale ending.
Twice Dynamo came from behind to draw level against former Football League side Boston in front of 941 at York Road.
But in the end the Pilgrims’ Premier Division class fuelled by a host of former Loughborough University FC players was enough to see them through.
With keeper Matt Nurse and midfielders Karl Noble and Lawrence Hale suspended, plus Scott Clamp and Jermaine Gordon missing, it was always going to be a tough task for Dynamo but they far from disgraced themselves.
Loughborough looked nervous in the opening moments but it was Kris Nurse who had the first glimpse at goal but his shot was blocked.
Andy Harrison and Joe Latham had to be on their toes at the other end blocking half chances, the latter after a nervy miss-kick from young stand-in keeper Richard Bredice.
Boston’s Marc Newsham had a good chance with a diving header but failed to connect properly.
The same player gave United the lead after 23 minutes. Last season’s Loughborough University top goalscorer Mikel Suarez, an early substitute, robbed Latham but his first touch went towards Bredice who looked favourite to collect. The striker went in on the keeper studs first and Bredice took his eye off the ball, allowing the square to Newsham who had a simple tap in.
The Loughborough reply was immediate. An incisive move saw Alex Johnson produce an excellent through ball putting Reece Lester one-on-one with Tom Evans and the winger finished superbly at the near post.
It stunned Boston who enjoyed three minutes of intense pressure. Dynamo had a number of opportunities to clear corners before Suarez popped up from one to make it 2-1.
Loughborough looked more comfortable on the ball as the first half wore on, Kris Nurse ending a good move by scuffing his shot and Neil Morgan, who did well filling in for Noble, placed wide.
Boston wasted a gilt edged chance two minutes before the break when Newsham headed over. It proved costly moments later in first half injury time. Johnson, was again the provider, sliding in Kris Nurse who stayed on his feet despite being hacked from behind and slotted expertly past the keeper to the delight of the 62 travelling fans.
Boston took control in the second half but after Ricky Nurse had deflected over Danny Sleath’s shot and Bredice saved well from Suarez, Kris Nurse wasted an excellent chance after 50 minutes.
He did brilliantly to find the space between two defenders but put his header over after Morgan’s excellent ball.
After plenty of possession Boston failed to hurt Dynamo until midway through the second half. A harsh free kick given again Lester for obstruction was swung into the back post where too many Loughborough players were following the same ball which bounced off them and fell perfectly to Shaun Pearson to blast in.
The same player made sure of the result with 10 minute remaining. When Suarez’s initial header was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Bredice the re-bound fell to Pearson who headed home despite Rickey Nurse’s efforts on the line.
Suarez thought he had added a fifth in injury time but he was ruled offside during a goal mouth scramble.