Lowestoft Town endured a frustrating start to the New Year as they squandered an early lead to suffer a heavy defeat at the hands of Boston United in a game which was much closer than the score line suggests.

Key decisions went against the Blues as the promotion-chasing hosts avenged a 3-0 defeat at Crown Meadow on Boxing Day in the reverse fixture.

Despite the scoreline suggesting a routine and comfortable victory for the Pilgrims, Lowestoft certainly held their own for large parts of the game and boss Ady Gallagher was left upbeat despite defeat at the Jakemans Stadium, although he was left frustrated by the match officials.

'We can consider ourselves a bit unlucky today,' he said.

'You hope for a bit of luck when you are competing as we are and we didn't really get it.

'It was a bad decision to allow them a corner when it clearly wasn't a corner, which they then scored from, and the lad has clearly dived for the penalty but the referee has bought it.

'That is two key decisions that the referee got wrong, which completely changed the game and decisions like that kill you over time.

'But I am pleased that we have come here, we have been more than a match for a long period of time, we have created good chances and if we are going to be hard on ourselves then we would say that the difference between us was taking those chances.'

With just seven minutes on the clock the Blues raced into an early lead after a great team move made by Shaun Bammant. The former Dereham forward showed excellent strength on the left wing to get the better of Boston full-back Jordan Richards, before squaring to on loan Fleetwood midfielder Harvey Hodd who fired past Boston stopper Jason Alexander, having been left unmarked on the edge of the penalty area.

Boston were almost back on level terms just seconds later, but a great save from Ben Killip kept out John Sands' one-on-one effort, who got in behind Jack Ainsley far too easily.

While the hosts enjoyed the lion's share of the ball, the Trawlerboys remained a threat on the counter attack, with Jake Reed squandering a good opporuntiy after being played in by Ryan Jarvis after 21 minutes, but the striker failed to work Alexander.

Three minutes later and Ainsley thought he had doubled the Blues' lead after being gifted a tap-in at the far post from a dangerous in-swinging corner, but the celebrations were cut short by a late flag from the linesman.

The Blues were struggling for quality in the final third and Boston ensured they paid for it.

Lowestoft's defence seemed to switch off, as if they were waiting for an offside flag, but instead Lewis Hilliard picked out Sands, who slotted past a helpless Killip from close range. Twelve minutes into the second half Boston turned the tables from a controversial corner, which left even their own players surprised, as Sands headed home Hilliard's corner after getting the better of Robert Eagle at the far post.

Eight minutes later the hosts were awarded a penalty when Sands went down under pressure from Ainsley and Hilliard stepped up, making no mistake as he extended the Pilgrims lead.

Lowestoft responded well, creating several good chances to get back into the game, Rossi Jarvis fired one against the crossbar and Alexander needed to be at full stretch to keep out Reed's powerful effort.

Four minutes from time, Boston sealed the win as Lowestoft were caught short on numbers at the back, substitute Mark Jones sealed the win with a far post tap-in.

Despite defeat this was a performance of resilience and hard work, which if combined with the ability to take chances when they come could make for a positive 2016 for Lowestoft, but how they do that is the question.