Lincoln United 1-3 Boston United

The Pilgrims were full value for their victory at Ashby Avenue on Thursday evening — which duly booked a semi-final trip to Gainsborough Trinity on Tuesday.

Canoville and Stones converted respective deliveries from trialists Ben Milnes and Ben Wilkinson, while Newsham capped his ongoing return to fitness with a classy third.

With Paul Bastock and Kevin Austin rested and Gareth Jelleyman missing out through a slight knock, Ricky Drury and Jason Field both started while Liam Parker slotted into midfield alongside Milnes and Wilkinson.

The first real opening of the game fell to Julian Joachim, but the former Aston Villa frontman fired too high from the edge of the penalty area.

Marauding full-back Jordan Fairclough advanced to deliver a telling cross from the right and Parker’s headed effort from outside the box flashed marginally wide.

Boston took the lead on 31 minutes when CANOVILLE met Milnes’ inviting corner with a bullet header.

The Pilgrims were completely dominant and Newsham produced a lovely dragback to carve open a chance for himself, but keeper Craig Turner saved well.

Lincoln’s respite was short-lived though and the Pilgrims quickly put the tie beyond the hosts’ reach.

Wilkinson delivered a brilliant cross from the right and STONES applied an assured headed finish on 37 minutes.

Four minutes later, Stones took on the role of provider to free NEWSHAM into the clear and the prolific goal-grabber steadied himself before stroking the ball past Turner.

Lincoln carved out a handful of decent chances after the break as they threw caution to the wind in pursuit of an unlikely comeback.

Impressive centre-half Sean Wright headed just over following Kallum Smith’s corner, while Canoville produced a terrific goalline block to deny substitute Chris Funnell.

Boston substitute Kevin Holsgrove slammed two long-range efforts off target in the closing stages, the second of which was a well-positioned free-kick, and it was the Whites who scored the game’s fourth goal with a minute remaining.

SMITH curled home an excellent free-kick from wide out on the Lincoln right, although the strike had no bearing on the final outcome.

Lincoln (4-4-2): Craig Turner; Terry Fleming (Peter McDaid 82), James Stokes, Sean Wright, Kallum Smith; Jack McGovern, Liam Bull, Brendan McDaid, George Zuerner (Chris Funnell 61); Scott Coupland (Alex Troughton 67), Jordan Hempenstall. Subs (not used): David Coyde, Phil McGann (gk).

Boston (4-3-3): Ricky Drury; Jordan Fairclough, Lee Canoville, Tom Ward, Jason Field; Ben Wilkinson (Danny Sleath 58), Liam Parker, Ben Milnes; Julian Joachim, Mickey Stones, Marc Newsham (Kevin Holsgrove 58). Subs (not used): Ryan Semple, Mikel Suarez, Chris Hall.

Referee: Darren Drysdale