Harrogate Town 0-2 Boston United

Newsham brilliantly struck after 10 minutes to set the tone for a dominant United first half performance and Lee capped the win two minutes from time with a looping header.

United had to withstand some Harrogate pressure during the second half — but their backline was expertly marshalled by full league debutant Tom Ward and the returning Alan White — to repel the Town threat.

Ward and White were two of four changes ahead of kick-off, with Ryan Semple and Danny Sleath also starting.

The Pilgrims started strongly and Newsham headed down Liam Parker’s long ball only for Sleath’s angled drive to deflect past the post.

United took the lead with 10 minutes on the clock. Kevin Holsgrove returned Semple’s deep corner and NEWSHAM hooked home a brilliant effort off the inside the post.

Harrogate keeper Mark Cook produced an excellent save moments later — keeping out Holsgrove’s angled drive following good work from Mickey Stones.

Newsham then whistled a 25-yarder inches wide as the offensive continued.

Bastock preserved his clean sheet with a terrific point-blank range save to deny Peter Bore, following a Craig Radcliffe corner.

United continued to create. Stones and Semple combined brilliantly, with the latter skipping clear to deliver a cross from the right, although nobody could get a finishing touch on the ball.

Stones and Newsham combined expertly once more and Holsgrove’s drive flashed agonisingly wide.

Town cranked up the pressure after the break and Adam Nowakowski had a shot heroically blocked by White.

The Pilgrims tried to retain possession and get the ball wide to Semple and Holsgrove at every opportunity — who were causing their respective full-backs plenty of problems.

Nowakowski swivelled on the end of Bore’s cross to drill too high, while Brayson’s drive was blocked on the line by White after rounding Bastock.

Lawrie Wilson crashed an effort too high while Bastock flew across his goal to keep out Ian Ross’ drive.

The Pilgrims applied the icing to the cake with LEE looping a header over Cook after meeting Chris Hall’s free-kick delivery.

Harrogate (4-4-2): Mark Cook; Laurie Wilson, Jake Picton, Paul Heckingbottom, Craig Radcliffe; Peter Bore, Adam Nowakowski (Liam Hardy 67), Stephen Turnbull, Lee Elam (Ian Ross 59); Paul Brayson, Callum Hassan (Will Turl 79). Subs (not used): Richard Pell, Matt Bloomer.

Boston (4-4-2): Paul Bastock; Liam Parker, Alan White, Tom Ward, Gareth Jelleyman; Ryan Semple, Chris Hall, Danny Sleath, Kevin Holsgrove (Ben Wilkinson 82); Mickey Stones (Jason Lee 71), Marc Newsham. Subs (not used): Kevin Austin, Harry Deane, Jordan Fairclough.

Referee: Mark Ackerman