AFC Fylde 5-2 Boston United

Matty Hughes, James Hardy, Josh Langley, Richie Baker and Dion Charles scored the decisive goals for the hosts while United keeper Fabian Spiess also produced a string of top quality saves.

Dayle Southwell and Mark Jones replied for the visitors, but Southwell limped off before half-time with a hamstring injury to compound the Pilgrims' woes on the afternoon, alongside a red card for substitute Cameron Johnson within two minutes of coming on.

United boss Dennis Greene had opted to deploy defenders Zak Mills and Joe Burgess in deep midfield positions, with Stephane Ngamvoulou and John Sands making way.

The Pilgrims were almost presented with the best possible start in the second minute when a great ball from the right from Jay Rollins narrowly missed Southwell and was almost turned into his own net by Caspar Hughes.

Fylde took full advantage three minutes later, with Baker's cross from the left finding Matty HUGHES to power home a header into the top corner.

United's response was only five minutes in the crafting. SOUTHWELL lined up a 30-yard free-kick and his stunning effort left keeper Matt Urwin grasping at thin air.

Fylde were incisive in virtually every attack and Danny Rowe's fierce shot across goal was hacked off the line by Carl Piergianni, while Spiess made a brilliant low save to deny Bohan Dixon a goal on his home Fylde debut.

Mills was denied by Urwin following Lewis Hilliard's deep free-kick while Southwell was not far away from handing United the lead with a 25-yarder but he sustained a hamstring problem in the process and had to be substituted.

Rowe's curling effort flew marginally wide of Spiess' far post while Rowe fired over at the back post when he really should have troubled the United keeper.

There was a good chance for United towards the break but Hilliard's left-wing cross was a fraction too high for Jones, on for the injured Southwell, to keep his header down.

Fylde capitalised and HARDY cut through the United defence to plant a low shot beyond Spiess from 18 yards.

Rollins' stinger was palmed over by Urwin at the start of the second half, but United were soon indebted to Spiess for denying Hardy and Rowe in quick succession.

Spiess made another brilliant save to deny Rowe, but LANGLEY was on hand to turn the loose ball home as Fylde extended their lead a minute past the hour mark.

United cut the deficit seven minutes later when Dylan McEvoy's towering cross was powered into the top corner by JONES, who had been denied by former Scotland international Stephen Crainey moments earlier.

The crazy ebb and flow nature of the game continued a minute later, with Johnson surrendering possession with his first touch, Dixon motoring and BAKER finishing with aplomb.

United's afternoon got even worse two minutes later when Johnson received a straight red card for what was deemed to be a wild challenge on Matty Hughes.

It was damage limitation for the Pilgrims, who saw Baker's curling effort from 25 yards bounce to safety off the very top of Spiess' right-hand upright.

There was still a massive chance for United. Urwin misjudged Scott Garner's cross and Jones was caught unaware and only able to bundle the ball wide at back post.

Spiess made a fantastic double save to deny Charles and then Rowe after United were caught four-on-one from their own corner. Charles then exchanged passes on his way into the box before firing wide of the far post.

Spiess made two more saves to deny CHARLES, before the Fylde substitute had the last laugh with a fine curling effort four minutes into stoppage time to cap the home side's resounding win.

AFC Fylde (4-2-3-1): Matt Urwin; Caspar Hughes, Josh Langley, Stephen Crainey, Adam Sumner; Richie Baker, Brad Barnes; Matty Hughes (Danny Lloyd 77), Bohan Dixon (Matt Blinkhorn 85), James Hardy (Dion Charles 75); Danny Rowe. Subs (not used): Dom Collins, Ben Hinchliffe (gk).

Boston (4-2-3-1): Fabian Spiess; Liam Marrs, Scott Garner, Carl Piergianni, Dylan McEvoy; Zak Mills, Joe Burgess (Kaine Felix 61); Jay Rollins, Lewis Hilliard (Cameron Johnson 69), Grant Roberts; Dayle Southwell (Mark Jones 37). Subs (not used): Stephane Ngamvoulou, John Sands.

Referee: Chris O'Donnell.

Attendance: 479.