Boston United 2-0 Hinckley United

Stainfield struck six minutes into the second half with a well-executed header, while Sleath produced a fabulous volleyed finish nine minutes later.

The quickfire double handed the Pilgrims maximum spoils against a Hinckley side who contributed to a lively encounter on a rain-drenched night in Lincolnshire.

The only disappointment arrived in terms of the attendance with a sub-1,000 crowd for the first time since January.

Stainfield and fellow newcomer Ben Fairclough were both named on the bench ahead of kick-off, with joint manager Jason Lee replacing Mikel Suarez up front in the only change to Saturday’s line-up at Blyth Spartans.

Hinckley, with ex-Pilgrim Dan Haystead in goal, were lively from the off and went close when the burly figure Jermaine Clarke lifted a rising drive over the angle of bar and post.

Ryans Semple then crashed an effort across goal and wide following link-up play between Lee and Marc Newsham.

Boston had a let-off when Callum Reynolds let fly from distance, only for his shot to loop up off Andre Gray and smash into Paul Bastock’s crossbar. Lloyd Kerry then lashed an effort off target for the visitors.

The sides traded further chances before the break with Semple firing wide at Haystead’s near post, while Connor Gudger delivered a superb ball from the Hinckley left, only for Clarke to fail to apply the finishing touch from six yards.

Stainfield replaced the injured Kevin Austin three minutes before half-time — and had a defining impact six minutes after the break.

Ben Milnes delivered a right-wing corner and STAINFIELD did the rest with a brilliant close-range header.

Chances were arriving in numbers by this point, with Lee’s header flying off target following Chris Hall’s cross, while Danny Newton had a deflected effort held by Bastock and Gray saw a shot diverted wide by the excellent Tom Ward.

Milnes rattled the bar with a curling cross-shot, but the Pilgrims were soon further in front.

Stainfield’s throw-in found Hall, whose cross was expertly chested down by Lee and smashed home, beyond Haystead’s grasp, courtesy of a stupendous SLEATH volley from 25 yards.

Hinckley threw bodies forward and with the excellent Luke Dean orchestrating proceedings in midfield, the Knitters went close to forcing a route back into the game.

Newton headed over the bar from Rob Oddy’s cross, before firing another effort over from 20 yards.

Boston continued to create too. Semple’s first time cross was slammed wide by Newsham, while Fairclough crossed from the left with virtually his first touch and Suarez saw his miscued effort gathered by Haystead.

Suarez’s diving header was then spectacularly palmed away by Haystead following Ben Wilkinson’s excellent cross.

Hinckley’s powerhouse Clarke had an effort hacked off the line by Alan White, before seeing another effort cross the line — but ruled out for offside.

Boston closed on top with Suarez having an angled drive beaten behind by Haystead, who soon denied Fairclough too after the lively substitute had seen another effort blocked by Paul Lister.

Boston (4-4-2): Paul Bastock; Ben Wilkinson, Tom Ward, Alan White, Kevin Austin (Nathan Stainfield 42); Ryan Semple (Ben Fairclough 77), Ben Milnes, Danny Sleath, Chris Hall; Jason Lee (Mikel Suarez 69), Marc Newsham. Subs (not used): Jason Field, Adam Millson.

Hinckley (4-4-2): Dan Haystead; Rob Oddy, Callum Reynolds, Paul Lister, Mark Dudley (Levi Porter 77); Danny Newton, Luke Dean, Lloyd Kerry, Connor Gudger; Jermaine Clarke, Andre Gray. Subs (not used): Stuart Hendrie, Jamal Clarke.

Referee: Ricky Wootton