Boston United 3-1 Alfreton Town

Knowles opened the scoring inside 13 minutes and despite ex-Pilgrim Jordan Thewlis levelling from the spot four minutes later, United took full control after the break.

Knowles added his second goal after 70 minutes and Keziah Martin scored United’s third six minutes from time.

Aaron Chapman had been handed his debut for the Pilgrims and he made a 10th minute save with his legs to deny Lewis Salmon the game's opening goal.

Sam Smart, one of United's best performers on the day, was played through by Jacob Hazel, but could only fire wide of George Willis' right-hand post.

Smart showed a sharp turn of pace moments later to leave ex-Buxton team-mate Nathan Newall in his wake and cross for KNOWLES to steer home from six yards.

Alfreton responded and after Perritt had got his shot away, referee Helen Conley deemed that he had been fouled by Michael Bostwick - with THEWLIS sending Chapman the wrong way from the spot.

Willis denied Jordan Richards and Hazel before the break - before United continued their offensive after half-time. Conley inexplicably blew her whistle as Deji Sotona recovered from a foul on himself to wriggle on and prod past Willis - but play was brought back for a free-kick outside the box.

United then felt they should have had a penalty when Kennedy Digie blocked to deny Knowles, with handball a serious shout.

Boston re-asserted their lead 20 minutes from time when KNOWLES wriggled through, again with Conley's whistle seemingly poised, to poke the ball beyond Willis.

The points were wrapped up six minutes from time when Hazel freed Sotona down the left to pull the ball back for MARTIN to sweep home from 18 yards.

Boston (4-4-2): Aaron Chapman; Zak Mills, Michael Bostwick, Tom Leak, Brad Nicholson; Sam Smart (Keaton Ward 81), Jordan Richards, Keziah Martin, Deji Sotona (Michael Gyasi 90); Jacob Hazel, Jimmy Knowles. Subs (not used): Dylan Hill, Sam Essien, Tyler Knowles.

Alfreton (4-2-3-1): George Willis; Josh Clackstone, Kennedy Digie, Shaun Brisley (Dwayne Wiley 76), Nathan Newall; George Cantrill, Adam Lund; Lewis Salmon, Harry Perritt (Liam Waldock 75), Jordan Thewlis; Jake Day (Ryan Taylor 68). Subs (not used): Joe Stacey, Jake Askew (gk).

Referee: Helen Conley.

Attendance: 1,688 (66 visitors).

PIC: Russell Dossett.