Jimmy McNulty’s men were on top throughout but couldn’t find a route to goal until the 83rd minute, when Smith’s header secured all three points.
Jimmy McNulty made two changes to the starting line-up from Tuesday’s win over Brackley Town. Tarryn Allarakhia and Casey Pettit came into the eleven in place of Joe Pritchard and Ed Francis.
Dale took charge of the contest from the outset, with Allarakhia providing dangerous crosses from the right and Dan Moss an outlet on the left.
Ryan East, Aidan Barlow and Devante Rodney had efforts blocked, whilst Barlow also fired off target from the left channel.
Mani Dieseruvwe had two half-chances from headers held by Boston goalkeeper Dan Cameron, whilst his opposite number, Oliver Whatmuff, seldom seeing the ball in the opening period.
In the 15 minutes after the break, Rodney, Dieseruvwe and Ethan Ebanks-Landell all sent shots off target.
Moss headed off target, and Barlow saw a cushioned shot saved by Cameron, before he and Pettit sent further shots off target.
As the clock entered the final ten minutes, it looked as though it might not be Dale’s day. However, two substitutes were heavily involved in the winner.
Ian Henderson, subbed on no more than two minutes earlier, clipped a cross to the back post for Moss, who headed back into the middle. Smith was there to stoop and head home at the near post for his seventh of the season.
The visitors created their best chance just a minute after the goal when Tom Cursons went through one-on-one. However, Whatmuff was there to make a huge save and keep Dale ahead.
Dieseruvwe had a turn and shot blocked as time wound down, and despite the slender lead, Dale held on comfortably to remain top of the Enterprise National League.
Dale XI | Whatmuff, Gordon, East (90’ Francis), Ebanks-Landell ©, Allarakhia (90’ Tutonda), Dieseruvwe, Rodney (63’ Smith), Pettit, Barlow (80’ Henderson), Moss, Perry.
Unused subs | Burger, McBride, Bilongo.
Scorers | 83’ Smith.
Boston United XI | Cameron, Teale (88’ Barrington), Maguire, Hiwula (59’ Aboh), Lankshear, Cursons, Richards, Rooney, Grimes ©, Gallagher (88’ Sloggett), Lavinier.
Unused subs | Lovett, Grist, Carson, Raikhy.
Attendance | 3,296 (246 away).
