Dartford 4-2 Boston United

The Pilgrims gave an excellent account of themselves at Princes Park — but several pieces of poor defending cost United dear.

Dartford striker Jacob Erskine was the main beneficiary as he helped himself to a hat-trick, while Lee Noble was also on target as the Kent club booked their place in Monday’s third round draw.

United were much-improved following their poor home performances against Blyth Spartans and Bishop’s Stortford — but came up against a strong Dartford side pushing hard for promotion from Blue Square Bet South.

Fresh from his midweek arrival, Weir-Daley was handed a starting position alongside joint manager Jason Lee, while Marc Newsham and Ben Fairclough were deployed in wide positions.

The Pilgrims got off to the worst possible start in the fourth minute. Danny Harris got away from Lee Canoville down the Dartford left and his low cross was back-heeled home by ERSKINE from close-range.

United gradually found their feet following a strong opening from the hosts and drew level with 21 minutes played.

Ian Ross delivered a corner from the right and after Tom Ward had got up well to head goalwards, WEIR-DALEY showed his predatory instincts to fire the ball beyond home keeper Louis Wells.

Boston enjoyed their best spell of the match thereafter and Wells had to be alert to keep out Ross’ dipping 30-yarder on the half-hour mark.

Dartford still carried a threat going forward and ex-Fulham left-back Adam Green curled a free-kick only inches wide from 25 yards.

The match was in the balance as the second half kicked off, but the home side grabbed two goals inside the opening 16 minutes to effectively kill the contest.

After smart play between Weir-Daley and Lee had played Fairclough into the clear, the winger’s touch was too strong and Wells gathered at his feet.

Dartford re-established their lead shortly afterwards. The home side took a quick throw-in, allowing Lee Noble to cross from the right and ERSKINE arrived right on cue to prod the loose ball past a stranded Bastock.

Wells saved expertly from Weir-Daley as Boston sought a response, but Dartford soon added their third with NOBLE diverting the ball beyond Bastock at the near post.

Weir-Daley continued to carry Boston’s primary attacking threat and drilled agonisingly wide when well-placed.

The Pilgrims cut the deficit with eight minutes remaining to give themselves hope with substitute CONSTANTINE glancing a header past Wells following a Ward cross.

Bastock made a great save to keep out a Connor Essam header as the Pilgrims sensed a comeback was in the offing.

Dartford scored the killer fourth goal on 90 minutes with ERSKINE firing the ball home from close-range following Richard Graham’s free-kick.

Dartford (4-4-2): Louis Wells; Matt Jones, Tom Bonnner, Connor Essam, Adam Green; Lee Noble (Richard Graham 88), Tom Champion, Elliot Bradbrook, James Rogers; Jacob Erskine (Tony Garrod 90), Danny Harris. Subs: Ryan Hayes, Jon Wallis, Deren Ibrahim (gk).

Boston (4-4-2): Paul Bastock; Lee Canoville, Tom Ward, Kevin Austin, Gareth Jelleyman; Ben Fairclough (Leon Constantine 76), Ian Ross (Chris Hall 67), Danny Sleath, Marc Newsham; Jason Lee, Spencer Weir-Daley. Subs (not used): Jason Field, Tony Edwards, Nathan Stainfield.

Referee: Jake Hillier