Boston United 3-1 Dereham Town

United led Dereham Town early on through Fallah's eighth minute strike and despite Luke Tuttle's equaliser five minutes before half-time, Southwell re-asserted Boston's lead a minute before the break.

Mills added a third on 70 minutes as the Pilgrims held off the challenge of the plucky underdogs from Norfolk.

United arguably deserved their victory, although keeper Sam Vince made three or four excellent saves to keep the visitors at bay.

The Pilgrims were afforded a dream start with only eight minutes played. Mills' drive was blocked from a Danny Meadows corner and FALLAH tucked the loose ball home from close-range.

Toby Hilliard threatened an immediate response, but headed wide from close-range, before seeing a shot blocked by the legs of Scott Garner following Tuttle's cutback. Vince then made an excellent save to tip Ryan Hawkins' drive over the bar.

There was a big call from referee Michael D'Aguilar not to award a penalty against Mills following a foul on Matt Hockley, but a later call for a foul on Hilliard by Stefan Galinski was rightfully rejected.

Town's leveller arrived on 40 minutes, with TUTTLE sweeping the ball home after Vince had been left horribly exposed.

Vince subsequently had to turn a Tuttle free-kick over the bar, but United were soon back in front. Rene Steer's excellent cross from the left was powered home by the head of SOUTHWELL for his seventh of the season.

United contained Dereham much better after the break and chances were at a premium until the Pilgrims bagged their third goal.

Marc Newsham, on as a substitute for his first appearance since April 1, clipped a quick free-kick through for MILLS to run on and roll the ball past keeper Andrew Wilton.

Vince made late saves to deny Sam Borrer and Michael Clunan, while Kaine Felix clipped the bar in stoppage time, but United had avoided a banana skin on a day where six other Conference North sides fell to lower ranked opponents.

Boston (4-3-1-2): Sam Vince; Zak Mills, Scott Garner, Stefan Galinski (Greg Tempest 74), Rene Steer; Liam Marrs, Jay Dowie, Danny Meadows (Kaine Felix 52); Kyle Dixon; Dayle Southwell, David Fallah (Marc Newsham 52). Subs (not used): Conor Marshall, Michael Hollingsworth, Niall Doran, Andy Hewitt (gk).

Dereham (3-5-2): Andrew Wilton; Matt Howard, Matt Hockley (Craig Bussens 64), Jay Eastoe-Smith; Oliver Willis (Scott Roberts 78), Ryan Hawkins, Sam Borrer, Michael Clunan, Frazer Blake-Tracy; Luke Tuttle, Toby Hilliard. Subs (not used): Luke Bailey, Aaron Kay, Louis Mason, Lewis Sturman, Matt Powley (gk).

Referee: Michael D'Aguilar.

Attendance: 836 (73 visitors).

PIC: Tim Hoff.