Kirby Muxloe 1-2 Boston United

The Pilgrims fell behind to Leon Fray's early goal for Kirby Muxloe at Ratby Lane but United quickly responded.

Maguire headed a 21st minute equaliser and Rollins scored what turned out to be the winner six minutes before half-time.

United straight brightly, with James Flinders twice required to save well to deny Waide Fairhurst in the opening seven minutes.

The visitors were behind six minutes later though when a corner dropped favourably for centre-half FRAY and he did the rest with a low driven finish from inside the penalty area.

The Pilgrims levelled on 21 minutes with MAGUIRE and defensive partner Joe Robinson converging on Liam Agnew’s cross and the former getting the decisive touch to leave Flinders with no chance.

Rollins started to take centre stage and galloped clear to lash one effort too high, before seeing his attempted lob clawed to safety by Flinders.

The game’s defining moment arrived with 39 minutes on the clock when Gregg Smith nodded on Jason St Juste’s raking throughball and ROLLINS did the rest by running on and angling home a fine finish into the far corner.

United had ample opportunities after the break to kill the contest, but Flinders saved well to deny Smith, Rollins and Lewis Hilliard in quick succession.

Muxloe’s moment arrived 13 minutes from time when Jake Tomlinson found himself clear but Michael Emery, making his United debut, produced a terrific save to preserve the Pilgrims’ lead.

Despite the hosts throwing everything at the Pilgrims in the closing stages, they failed to create a further clear-cut opening and United progressed with relative ease.

Kirby Muxloe (4-4-2): James Flinders; Sean Doy, Leon Fray, Sam Wilson, Danni O’Brien; Will Cheshire, Tyler Love, Joshua Burniston, Jordan Lever; Danny Agar, Jake Tomlinson. Subs (not used): Joe Cooper, Aaron Love, Dean Sheahan, Yassen Mururajani, Will Andrew.

Boston (4-4-2): Michael Emery; Kalern Thomas, Joe Maguire, Joe Robinson, Jason St Juste; Lewis Hilliard (Cameron Johnson 82); Liam Agnew, Courtney Wildin; Waide Fairhurst (Marcus Marshall 46); Jay Rollins, Gregg Smith. Subs (not used): Lamin Colley, Joe Burgess, Ollie Price, Liam Adams, Harry Payne (gk).

Referee: Daniel Middleton.

Attendance: 330.