Bishop's Stortford 1-0 Boston United

Ryan Henshaw was the home side's hero - powerfully heading home substitute Darren Foxley's 89th minute free-kick delivery, having earlier denied Jimmy Knowles with a stunning goalline clearance.

United had looked the likelier winners as the match ticked on - but Stortford delivered a late sting in the tail to temper Boston's impressive start to the campaign.

Manager Ian Culverhouse had made one change ahead of kick-off, with Finley Thorndike preferred to Keaton Ward.

The first half lacked real rhythm, although United keeper Cameron Gregory did have to save from Zain Walker and Ryan Charles.

The Pilgrims' best first half chance fell to Jordan Richards, who forced Jack Giddens into a smart stop after 42 minutes.

United were forced into their first change a minute before half-time, when Ward replaced Keziah Martin, who limped off holding his hamstring.

United had the better chances after the break, with Brad Nicholson looping a header on to the roof of the net from a Ward free-kick, while Ward himself was denied by a decent Giddens save.

Boston's best chance arrived when Kelsey Mooney fed his strike partner Jimmy Knowles into the clear - and with the ball beating Giddens, United were only denied by a brilliant Henshaw sliding block on the line.

It laid the platform for the Blues to go on and win the game, with Foxley whipping in a free-kick for HENSHAW to thunder home off the underside of Gregory's crossbar - and leave 352 travelling Pilgrims deflated.

Bishop's Stortford (4-2-3-1): Jack Giddens; Tosin Olufemi, Ryan Henshaw, Ayo Shogbeni, Aaron Powell; Rob Howard, Jack Thomas (Darren Foxley 73); Ollie Peters, Ryan Charles, Zain Walker (Fraser Alexander 82); Andre Godfrinne (Ola Ogunwamide 15). Subs (not used): Morgan Mahoney, Billy Cracknell.

Boston (4-1-2-1-2): Cameron Gregory; Tyler Knowles, Zak Mills, Michael Bostwick, Brad Nicholson; Jordan Richards; Sam McLintock (Michael Gyasi 68), Keziah Martin (Keaton Ward 45); Finley Thorndike (Tom Edge 57); Kelsey Mooney, Jimmy Knowles. Subs (not used): Dylan Hill, Jake Lovelace (gk).

Referee: Abigail Byrne.

Attendance: 962 (352 visitors).

PIC: Oliver Atkin.