Swansea 0 Boston 0

Last updated : 04 March 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Referee Paul Taylor was the man of the moment in this Nationwide Division Three battle between two sides struggling for points at the wrong end of the table.

During the 90 minutes he managed to dish out ten yellow cards and two reds in a scrappy match which was devoid of any goalmouth action.

Both attacks were blunted by mass defences but it is Swansea who will feel it is two points lost after their opponents were reduced to nine men by the fussy referee.

Boston manager Neil Thompson was very forthright in his views of the official at the end of the game.

"The referee was very poor," he said. "It is about time someone on high realises that this is our living. We want to survive but people are put in charge and do not do their jobs correctly." The Swans were seeking revenge over their fellow strugglers because they were beaten 1-0 at York Street in September and sank to the bottom of the Football League for the first time in their history.

That match signalled the end for Nick Cusack and such has been the change of personnel at the club since Brian Flynn took over that only one player from that side started in this return.

Flynn kept faith with the 11 that held Wrexham to a scoreless draw on Saturday relying on a three-pronged attack to score the goal that would lift them away from the relegation zone.

John Williams had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring in the 14th minute when Roberto Martinez floated over a cross from Swansea's left flank but the big striker mistimed his header and the chance was lost.

Four minutes later man of the match Leon Britton sent Williams away down the right but he delayed his shot and Boston skipper Ben Chapman blocked his goal attempt.

At the other end Simon Weatherstone was gifted the ball following a weak clearance by Swans keeper Neil Cutler but his first-time shot drifted wide of the open goal.

Boston were dealt a blow midway through the second period when Tom Bennett was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card and then worse was to follow for the Pilgrims when Stuart Douglas followed him for an early bath with nine minutes left for play.

Flynn sent on leading scorer James Thomas and later Steve Watkin in an effort to take advantage of the depleted visitors but they were unable to get past Paul Bastock in the Boston goal.

"Boston are doing the same as us, they are fighting for their lives," Flynn said after the match.

"I will be making my views known about the referee in my report. All we ask is that when players go on to the field they are allowed to play.

"It turned out to be eight of their men in the box with eight of ours with the result a stalemate."