Boston United 0-3 Stalybridge Celtic

Chris Simm opened the scoring after 20 minutes, Steve Tames doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time following an uncharacteristic Fabian Spiess slip and Dale Wright added a spectacular third 13 minutes after the break.

United had a host of chances before half-time but for a second match in succession, their wastefulness in front of goal proved decisive.

Boston boss Dennis Greene had handed debuts to Joe Burgess and Stephane Ngamvoulou ahead of kick-off, with Dylan McEvoy and Dayle Southwell both ruled out having originally been pencilled in to feature.

There was a big chance for United inside 11 minutes with Kaine Felix sliding the ball wide after bravely beating keeper Tony McMillan in a 50-50 challenge on the edge of the box.

Celtic took the lead nine minutes later when Danny Wisdom's corner found Jack Higgins, who was denied by Spiess, only for SIMM to ram home the rebound.

United's response was strong and Grant Roberts fed Lewis Hilliard with a quick free-kick but the shot bounced to safety off the underside of the bar.

United should have levelled moments later but Ngamvoulou lifted his effort over from six yards following fellow debutant Burgess' cross.

Roberts then sidefooted his effort horribly high and wide following Felix's excellent cross.

Spiess made an excellent save to deny Bohan Dixon handing Celtic a two-goal lead before another well-worked free-kick from Roberts and Scott Garner culminated in Hilliard's drive being hacked off the line.

A brilliant break from Ngamvoulou picked out Hilliard, but the eventual shot was clawed to safety by McMillan.

The game's defining moment arrived right on half-time when Spiess fluffed his clearance and TAMES was left with the simple task of walking the ball home.

United's fate was sealed in the 58th minute when Carl Piergianni had been penalised for fouling Simm and WRIGHT flashed home a terrific 20-yard free-kick into the far corner beyond Spiess.

Piergianni's towering header cleared McMillan's crossbar following Hilliard's free-kick, but it was all Celtic in terms of chances in the closing stages.

Twice the visitors hit the crossbar through Higgins and substitute Aidan Chippendale, while Spiess was called upon to deny Alec Mudimu and Adam Farrell.

Boston (4-3-3): Fabian Spiess; Joe Burgess, Scott Garner, Carl Piergianni, Liam Marrs; Stephane Ngamvoulou, Grant Roberts, Josh Venney (Jay Rollins 69); Kaine Felix, Mark Jones, Lewis Hilliard. Subs (not used): Cameron Johnson, Malachi Lavelle-Moore, Ioan Evans, John Sands.

Stalybridge (4-4-2): Tony McMillan; Peter Wylie, Matty Hughes, Jack Higgins, Danny Wisdom; Adam Farrell (Danny Burns 90), Bohan Dixon, Dale Wright, Alec Mudimu; Chris Simm (Aidan Chippendale 75), Steve Tames (Alex Johnson 83). Subs (not used): Oliver Crowley, John Shaw.

Referee: Alf Greenwood.

Attendance: 1,202 (8 visitors).