DREWE Broughton has a habit of scoring against Accrington Stanley - and the striker came back to haunt the Reds again as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Boston United.

The 28-year-old was the first man to score against Stanley on their return to the Football League when he hit the target for Chester back in August, and took his tally of match-winning goals over John Coleman's side to two with the winner at the Staffsmart Stadium.

The only goal of the game came in the 72nd minute, when the lively Francis Green tricked his way past Rikki Bains down the Boston left and drove the ball across the face of goal. It was Broughton who reacted quickest to stab the ball home from close range at the back post and give the Pilgrims the advantage.

In a dour encounter of few clear-cut chances, Stanley had the better of the early stages. Boss Coleman was forced into one change from the side that defeated Wrexham, with midfielder Jay Harris failing a late fitness test and being replaced by Phil Edwards. That meant a tactical reshuffle, with Robbie Williams moving into midfield alongside Andy Procter and Edwards partnering Michael Welch in central defence.

But all the changes didn't stifle Stanley's attacking intentions, and it was Boston keeper Andy Marriott who was first to be called into action.

Reds winger Shaun Whalley was brought down 25 yards from goal in a central position, and Welch lined up the free kick. But the defender's venomous drive was straight at the goalkeeper, who held the ball well.

Whalley then blazed an effort over the bar from a good position on the left.

When Stanley's next chance came, it was again the left winger who played a key role. The youngster played a 20th minute short corner to Andy Todd on the right, but the winger was denied his seventh goal of the season as Marriott parried his snap shot from the corner of the 18-yard box.

As the first period progressed the home side began to grow in confidence, and midfielder Jason Kennedy was the first to test Stanley goalkeeper Rob Elliot after 23 minutes. But despite both Kennedy and Green getting into good positions, Elliot didn't have a genuine save to make before the interval.

The goalless scoreline at the break reflected the cautious approach adopted by both managers, and it was clear that one goal would be enough to win the game.

Stanley hadn't drawn 0-0 since their stalemate with Hereford in April 2005; a run of 67 league games. On the evidence of the first half, that run could well be broken.

However, it took just two second-half minutes for Boston to impose themselves as an attacking force. Former Burnley winger Bradley Maylett swung in a free-kick from the right hand side and found striker Green, whose lofted chip from the opposite flank sailed over the stranded Elliot and headed goalwards.

But Edwards saved the day, as he heroically drilled the ball off the line and to safety.

Elliot was called into action again on 53 minutes, punching to clear Chris Holland's dangerous cross from the left.

Stanley tried to hit back, with David Brown firing a mis-hit effort straight at Marriott from 20 yards four minutes later. It would prove to be the striker's last significant contribution, as his frustrating afternoon was ended when he was replaced by Andy Mangan just after the hour mark.

Despite a consistent spell of Stanley pressure, the home side managed to weather the storm and launch attacks of their own. Broughton stung Elliot's fingers with a swerving left foot volley after 68 minutes, but that proved to be a mere taster of what was to come.

With the game seemingly heading for a goalless stalemate, Green picked up possession from a series of Boston throw-ins down the Stanley right, and whipped the ball in for Broughton to deliver the killer blow.

Stanley poured forward in the knowledge that defeat was not an option, but continued to struggle to carve out opportunities.

Despite having Boston hemmed into their own half in the dying stages, the Reds could only muster a series of corners deep into stoppage time.