Boston United 1-4 Solihull Moors

In an ironic twist of fate, Moors became the first side to win a league match at The Jakemans Stadium since they achieved the feat themselves in October 2014.

A double from Darryl Knights plus single strikes from substitutes Jack Byrne and Akwasi Asante rendered Dayle Southwell's strike from the penalty spot nothing more than a consolation for a United side whose debutant goalkeeper Jason Alexander shone.

Alexander had been selected with Henrich Ravas on international duty with Slovakia’s under-19s, while Port Vale loanee Aziz Deen-Conteh made his debut at left-back.

Jay Rollins, making his first start in United colours, drove an early effort into the side-netting, while Southwell angled an effort across goal and wide from 18 yards.

Solihull justified their tag as one of the pre-season favourites with a cohesive attacking display and their first opening arrived when Ryan Beswick picked out Stefan Moore to fire an angled drive narrowly wide of Alexander’s far post.

Alexander stuck out a big right hand to claw away Moore’s attempted chip after the former Aston Villa trainee had found himself clean through. Deen-Conteh blocked Adam Walker’s rebound.

Moors edged ahead on 28 minutes when Moore and the marauding Michael Nottingham linked well and KNIGHTS swept home inside a busy penalty area.

Solihull could have doubled their lead when Andy Brown arrowed a header towards the top corner, but Alexander saved well high to his right.

Solihull’s second goal arrived six minutes after the break when the usually-flawless Carl Piergianni presented the ball straight to KNIGHTS to pick his spot and fire beyond an exposed Alexander.

The Pilgrims finally came to life with Mark Jones slamming an effort wide of a gaping net and Scott Garner looping a header narrowly wide.

United still required Alexander to twice save well from Beswick, while Boston sub Jamie McGhee stung the palms of Alexander’s opposite number Danny Lewis.

Dennis Greene’s side were handed a lifeline in the 82nd minute when Theo Streete brought down Kaine Felix in the box and SOUTHWELL blasted home the spot-kick for his second goal inside the opening two games.

United’s hopes were killed off once and for all three minutes later though, with BYRNE working himself an opening before firing past Alexander from 18 yards.

Moors added the icing to the cake five minutes into stoppage time when ASANTE outstripped Garner in the left channel and arrowed a firm drive beyond Alexander’s reach and into the far corner.

Boston (4-4-2): Jason Alexander; Liam Marrs, Scott Garner, Carl Piergianni, Aziz Deen-Conteh (Jordan Deacey 70); Kaine Felix, Kyle Dixon, Grant Roberts (Jamie McGhee 70), Jay Rollins; Dayle Southwell, Mark Jones. Subs (not used): Jack Friend, Jake Sheridan, Cameron Johnson.

Solihull (3-4-3): Danny Lewis; Theo Streete; Liam Daly, Gareth Dean; Michael Nottingham, Adam Walker (Jack Byrne 46), Ryan Beswick, Connor Franklin; Andy Brown (Callum Gittings 87), Stefan Moore (Akwasi Asante 74), Darryl Knights. Subs (not used): Gavin Cowan, James Armson.

Referee: Josh Smith.

Attendance: 1,140 (22 visitors).