Boston United 3-1 AFC Fylde

Despite trailing to Jamie Allen's early goal, the Pilgrims responded with three goals from set-pieces, the first of which from Zak Mills and the second and third scored by Carl Piergianni.

There was even a debut penalty save from keeper Joel Dixon thrown in for good measure to keep out Richie Allen's stoppage time spot-kick.

Few in attendance would have predicted the eventual outcome but the Pilgrims were good value for their victory which was achieved with Scott Garner in midfield and Mills at centre-half.

Sunderland loanee Dixon was called upon to deny Richie Allen early on before Fylde's record goalscorer saw another effort deflect wide off Liam Marrs.

There was a sight of goal for United in bizarre circumstances when Kaine Felix tried to lob the back-peddling Ben Hinchliffe from a wide position and very nearly caught out the Fylde keeper who needed to make a frantic stop on his line.

Fylde soon edged ahead. Liam Tomsett threaded a throughball into the path of Jamie ALLEN, who finished with aplomb across the dive of United keeper Dixon.

United responded positively and Garner's silky feet presented a chance which was tipped wide by Hinchliffe. The United stopper then made an even better save to claw Greg Tempest's angled drive behind for a corner.

The resulting Tempest flag-kick led to United's equaliser. Piergianni won the ball in the air and MILLS swooped to poke it past Hinchliffe from close-range.

United's leveller had arrived six minutes before the break and they went in front on the stroke of half-time, with another Tempest corner powered home by PIERGIANNI, who found himself in plenty of space to meet the inviting set-piece delivery.

United's flow was not interrupted by the interval and having already seen one header tipped over by Hinchliffe from a Tempest corner, PIERGIANNI made no mistake second time around by bulleting home his second of the game with 49 minutes played.

Matters almost got even better for the Pilgrims when debutant Zeph Thomas touched Felix's excellent cross against Hinchliffe's near post only minutes after coming on.

Fylde were restricted to long-range efforts primarily, although Danny Lloyd did glance a free header over the bar following Caspar Hughes' cross.

With United seemingly coasting, referee Anthony Da Costa penalised Conor Marshall for handball in the box, but keeper Dixon capped a fine debut with an excellent low save to deny Richie Allen from the 12-yard mark.

Thomas and Tempest both had chances to add United's fourth in the dying moments, but their shots were blocked as Fylde avoided further concessions.

Boston (4-4-2): Joel Dixon; Liam Marrs, Zak Mills, Carl Piergianni, Rene Steer; Kaine Felix, Scott Garner, Kyle Dixon (Conor Marshall 63), Greg Tempest; Dayle Southwell (Zeph Thomas 63), Mark Jones (Michael Hollingsworth 73). Subs (not used): Stefan Galinski, Niall Doran.

Fylde (4-3-3): Ben Hinchliffe; Caspar Hughes, Josh Langley, Tom Hannigan, Adam Sumner; Michael Potts (Danny Rowe 56), Bradley Barnes, Liam Tomsett (Danny Lloyd 56); Michael Barnes, Jamie Allen, Richie Allen. Subs (not used): Joe Booth, Luke Denson, Dion Charles.

Referee: Anthony Da Costa.

Attendance: 952 (17 visitors).

PIC: Tim Hoff.