BEN Middleton’s own goal settled an untidy game in York City’s favour at home to Boston United.

The only goal of the game arrived on 73 minutes, while proceedings livened up at the death when Simon Heslop was sent off along with Boston pair Andi Thanoj and the hapless Middleton.

Heslop was red carded for a his second bookable offence – a lunge at Thanoj – on 88 minutes with the latter following him down the tunnel for retlalition.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Middleton was then dismissed for diving in on City sub Raul Corria close to the corner flag.

A cagey and scrappy start had earlier seen Brad Abbott’s 15-yard drive deflected wide, only for referee John Matthews to award a goal kick.

City created nothing in the first 45 minutes, other than a hoofed Hamza Bencherif clearance from the halfway line that drifted over the crossbar.

Former Bootham Crescent youth-team defender Ryan Qualter, meanwhile, saw a header from Stephen Brogan’s free kick bounce harmlessly wide, while Jake Beesley’s weak header almost deceived Adam Bartlett when it bounced flat in a heavy goalmouth on the stroke of half-time.

After the break, Louis Almond was picked out five yards from goal by Heslop’s right-wing cross, but his shot was deflected wide.

Adriano Moke went on to manage the Minstermen’s first on-target effort on 52 minutes with away keeper Jon Stewart pushing his 15-yard attempt wide.

At the other end, Thanoj’s firm edge-of-the-box drive was well held by Bartlett, while Almond tested Stewart with a diagonal drive after cutting in from the left flank.

Another long-range Thanoj drive drifted high and wide on 67 minutes, before sub Benny Igiehon’s ricocheted shot struck Bartlett, who was equal to an Ashley Hemmings effort moments later.

But, after an inswinging Alex Pattison corner had been tipped over by Stewart from under his crossbar, the hosts took the lead moments later.

Wing-back David Ferguson surged down the left and his low cross was turned in at the near post by a sliding Middleton.

The red mist then descended before City could celebrate extending their unbeaten home record to a sixth game.