United trailed to an Andy Gunn header on three minutes but Weir-Daley struck twice in quick succession to hand the Pilgrims an interval lead.

However, United unravelled dramatically after the break and goals from Darren Pond, Jack Mills and Felipe Barcelos capped a forgettable night for the Pilgrims.

The defeat was the Pilgrims’ fourth successive reversal and left Jason Lee’s side scrambling to return to the form shown in their opening victories over Droylsden and Histon.

Oxford took the lead after only three minutes. Mills pumped a hopeful free-kick into the Boston box and GUNN headed the ball goalwards — with Haystead misjudging the flight as it dropped into the roof of the net.

United were level within eight minutes. Ian Ross flighted in a free-kick which was nodded down and WEIR-DALEY headed home from close-range.

There was further joy for the visitors on 18 minutes. Ben Fairclough drove the ball across from the right and WEIR-DALEY finished well from 18 yards, with the aid of a Warren Carter fumble.

Oxford went close to equalising themselves when ex-Pilgrim Jamie Cook curled a 20-yard free-kick a fraction wide of the far post.

United had a great chance moments before half-time, but Nathan Stainfield’s close-range header was blocked heroically by the Oxford defence following a probing Ross set-piece.

The Pilgrims led at the break but their advantage evaporated quickly afterwards. Substitute Kynan Isaac zipped clear down the Oxford left and laid the ball inside for POND to slam home a near post effort which flashed past Haystead.

Worse was to follow when MILLS lined up a free-kick out on the touchline, around 35 yards from goal, with the delivery eventually skipping up off the turf and nestling in the top corner to leave Haystead and his defence red-faced.

Boston’s flowing football of the first half deserted them as panic seemingly set in and they had to wait until the closing stages before testing Carter in the home goal.

Substitute Korey Dyer-Stewart drove across goal and wide, while Carter saved well to deny Ross — before excelling at his back post to keep out Jason Stokes’ late drive.

As Oxford cleared their lines, Isaac whizzed through and teed up substitute BARCELOS for a simple finish past an exposed Haystead to kill off the Pilgrims’ comeback bid.

Boston (4-4-2): Dan Haystead; Gary Silk, Kern Miller, Nathan Stainfield, Jason Field; Ben Milnes, Tom Ward (Korey Dyer-Stewart 82), Ian Ross; Ben Fairclough (Kallum Smith 80), Spencer Weir-Daley, Marc Newsham (Jason Stokes 80). Subs (not used): James Reed, Travis Munn.

Oxford (4-4-2): Warren Carter; Jack Mills, Andy Gunn, Chris Willmott, Paul Stonehouse; Darren Pond, Andy Ballard (Kynan Isaac 46), Liam Malone, Jamie Cook; Nabil Shariff (Felipe Barcelos 75), Steve Basham (Albi Skendi 82). Subs (not used): Wayne Blossom, Adam Learoyd.

Referee: Neil Radford