Boston United 3-1 Curzon Ashton

The Pilgrims trailed to Adam Morgan's 13th minute opener for the visitors, but full-back Ben Gordon restored parity two minutes later and United never looked back.

Hilliard scored his first five minutes before the break and lashed home his second 10 minutes after half-time to seal Adam Murray's first three-point haul as United boss.

United had suffered a blow ahead of kick-off, with Jay Rollins ruled out with a knock to the thigh. Jason St Juste deputised.

Curzon started brightly and Ross Durrant, one of five players making his home debut for the Pilgrims, saved well to deny Joe Guest.

The visitors took the lead when Alex Brown whipped a low ball across the box and MORGAN got in front of his marker to steer home at the near post.

The lead lasted only two minutes though following a superb run from deep inside his own half from St Juste. He played the perfect pass to the overlapping GORDON who calmly rolled the ball beyond Cameron Mason for his first goal in United colours.

Curzon played good football throughout and another fine move culminated in a corner from which Morgan’s goalbound drive was hacked off the line by Hilliard.

The Pilgrims took the lead on 40 minutes when Callum Chippendale shrugged off Connor Hampson to cross from the right and HILLIARD turned inside before hammering a low left-footer past Mason at his near post.

United were victims of a tight offside decision a minute after the break, with Smith firing home after receiving Chippendale’s pass, but they were soon two goals to the good.

HILLIARD seized upon possession 30 yards from goal and crashed a spectacular effort high to Mason’s left to delight the home faithful.

Hilliard was denied his hat-trick by an inadvertent block from team-mate Smith following Kalern Thomas’ driven cross from the right while debutant Tom Batchelor was denied a goal after firing home having handled.

Morgan wanted a late penalty for Curzon after taking a tumble in the box but there were not too many further scares as Murray was able to contemplate a first win as United manager.

Boston (4-3-3): Ross Durrant; Kalern Thomas, Josh Robinson, Tom Batchelor, Ben Gordon; Callum Chippendale (Ben Clappison 73), Charlie Gatter, Lewis Hilliard; Marcus Marshall, Gregg Smith (Lamin Colley 87), Jason St Juste. Subs (not used): Waide Fairhurst, Bailey Forth, Michael Emery (gk).

Curzon (4-4-2): Cameron Mason; James Baillie, Jonathan Hunt, Jamie Stott, Joe Guest; Jordon Wright, Luke Clark (Chris Rowney 78), Alex Brown (Liam Tomsett 84), Connor Hampson; Adam Morgan, Niall Cummins (Paul Ennis 71). Subs (not used): Iain Howard, Ryan Jennings.

Referee: Anthony Tankard.

Attendance: 979 (17 visitors).