Boston United 0-2 Bishop's Stortford

Goals from Reece Prestedge and Dwight Gayle (penalty) handed Stortford a deserved win against a United side who struggled to create clear-cut openings.

United went close through Marc Newsham and Danny Sleath late on, but Stortford were worthy winners.

With United heading into the contest on the back of a home draw against bottom side Blyth Spartans and Stortford riding on the crest of a wave following a stunning 4-1 home win over Guiseley on Saturday, it was the away side who made all of the early running.

A looping header from Daniel Subuola was palmed wide by Paul Bastock, while a terrific Jordan Fairclough tackle denied Sebastian Dunbar a near certain goal after the left-sided player had barged his way into the clear.

The Pilgrims were fortunate to survive a bizarre incident midway through the first half. Bastock’s clearance looped up off a combination of Fairclough and Dunbar and headed towards goal — but stopped dead on the line to allow Fairclough to complete a miraculous clearance.

United finally carved out an opening with Jason Lee’s header being tipped over the bar by Tottenham Hotspur loanee Jordan Archer.

With Tyrone Kirk replacing the ineffectual Leon Constantine at half-time, the Pilgrims shaped up to have a real go at their visitors — but found themselves a goal down two minutes after the break.

A slip from Fairclough allowed PRESTEDGE to pick his spot from 25 yards and his rising drive flashed past a stunned Bastock.

The goal — as Blyth’s strike had done on Saturday — finally awoke the Pilgrims and Newsham’s header was bundled wide by Phil Anderson.

Keeper Archer kept the ball out following an inadvertent defensive header from Anderson, while Harry Milton nodded the loose ball off the line following Sleath’s follow-up header.

Archer made another excellent save to deny Newsham, before Alli Abdullahi kicked another Newsham drive off the line.

Substitute Ben Fairclough drilled narrowly wide during a lively cameo from the bench, while Archer produced a brilliant save to claw Sleath’s dipping volley to safety right on 90 minutes.

Stortford capitalised and after breaking quickly and being fouled by Gareth Jelleyman, GAYLE picked himself up to fire home the resultant spot-kick.

Despite 10 minutes of added time for a variety of stoppages and flashpoints, the Stortford revival under new manager Rod Stringer gathered real pace with a fourth win from five encounters.

Boston (4-4-2): Paul Bastock; Jordan Fairclough (Ben Fairclough 66), Tom Ward, Kevin Austin, Gareth Jelleyman; Ryan Semple (Chris Hall 78), Ian Ross, Danny Sleath, Marc Newsham; Jason Lee, Leon Constantine (Tyrone Kirk 46). Subs (not used): Jason Field, Nathan Stainfield.

Bishop’s Stortford (4-4-2): Jordan Archer; Ritchie Jones, Sean Francis, Phil Anderson, Harry Milton (Junior Dadson 75); Dwight Gayle, Scott Shulton, Alli Abdullahi, Reece Prestedge, Sebastian Dunbar; Daniel Subuola (Merrick James-Lewis 90). Subs (not used): Bai Mass Lette Jallow, George Artemi, Ben Davison.

Referee: Michael Blackledge