Darlington 1883 4-1 Boston United

The Pilgrims more than held their own against their promoted opponents, but fell behind to a Terry Galbraith penalty a minute before the break and imploded thereafter.

Liam Hardy, an unfortunate Herve Pepe-Ngoma own goal and Mark Beck sealed United's fate before the hour mark, although Jay Rollins did score a consolation in stoppage time.

There had been little sign of things to come following a purposeful start from the visitors, showing two changes to the side beaten at Harrogate Town on Tuesday evening.

The home side needed a save from keeper Peter Jameson inside four minutes to deny Waide Fairhurst following a quick free-kick routine.

Rollins was then unable to finish at the back post after debutant Gregg Smith had linked neatly with Jason St Juste to create the opening.

Fairhurst subsequently ran clear of the home defence but lashed his effort high and wide when he should have hit the target.

Smith was involved at both ends in quick succession, heading off target following Grant Roberts’ raking pass before producing a tremendous block inside his own box to deny Phil Turnbull.

The hosts went in front when Joe Maguire was adjudged to have fouled Hardy from a long Gary Brown throw-in and full-back GALBRAITH stepped up to blast the home side into the lead.

United started the second half with renewed hope but their comeback aspirations were quickly extinguished.

Maguire could only head a long ball into the path of HARDY, who finished with ease beyond Dibble, while PEPE-NGOMA sliced a Turnbull cross into his own net two minutes later.

United’s misery was complete in the 59th minute when BECK wriggled clear to power home a close-range header and leave the Pilgrims completely stunned.

Dennis Greene made a triple substitution in a bid to revitalise the stunned Pilgrims but they soon lost the services of full-back Kalern Thomas to a hamstring strain to finish the match with 10 men.

The visitors finally cut the deficit when Roberts threaded a ball through for ROLLINS to run on and finish well, but it was scant consolation on a harrowing afternoon for United.

Darlington 1883 (4-4-2): Peter Jameson; Liam Marrs, Kevin Burgess, Gary Brown, Terry Galbraith; Josh Gillies, Phil Turnbull, Leon Scott (Tom Portas 60), Stephen Thompson (Adam Mitchell 60); Liam Hardy (Nathan Cartman 72), Mark Beck. Subs (not used): Adam Nowakowski, Mark Bell (gk).

Boston (4-4-2): Christian Dibble; Kalern Thomas, Joe Maguire, Herve Pepe-Ngoma (Lamin Colley 62), Joe Burgess; Jay Rollins, Callum Chippendale, Grant Roberts, Jason St Juste (Liam Adams 62); Waide Fairhurst (Cameron Johnson 62), Gregg Smith. Subs (not used): Courtney Wildin, Lewis Hilliard.

Referee: Paul Newhouse.

Attendance: 1,435.