Vauxhall Motors 0-4 Boston United

Marc Newsham scored twice after Spencer Weir-Daley and Tom Ward had handed the Pilgrims a dream start in Ellesmere Port.

United were resilient throughout and fully merited their seventh away win of the Blue Square Bet North campaign.

The Pilgrims’ day had not got off to the best start when experienced defensive duo Lee Canoville and Kevin Austin were both ruled out of contention through illness.

Nathan Stainfield earned his first start since October alongside Ward and the young duo laid the platform for United’s eventual victory with composed performances at the heart of United’s new-look defence.

Flanked by the ever-impressive Conor Marshall and experienced skipper Gareth Jelleyman, Ward and Stainfield bossed proceedings against a Vauxhall frontline containing highly-rated Tranmere Rovers loanee Cole Stockton.

Vauxhall carved out the first opening of the game with Paul Bastock saving well from a Louis Horne header following a John Lawless flag-kick.

The Pilgrims were soon in front though. Newsham flicked on Bastock’s long clearance and WEIR-DALEY checked back on to his left foot before driving the ball beyond Scott Tynan from 18 yards.

United doubled their lead after 23 minutes. Ian Ross delivered an inviting corner and WARD nipped in ahead of Tynan to loop home a header despite Horne’s best efforts on the line.

Boston were further in front four minutes later. Weir-Daley galloped clear before being denied by Tynan — only to retrieve the loose ball and square unselfishly for NEWSHAM to slide home United’s third from close-range.

Ward produced a fabulous block to keep out a Stockton drive as the match ticked towards half-time — and the Pilgrims were soon four goals to the good.

Ross played a short corner into the path of Ben Milnes, who in turn delivered a perfect cross for NEWSHAM to angle a header into the far corner of Tynan’s net.

The second half was a quieter affair in contrast to the all-action first period as United gradually eased off with the game already won.

Stockton sent a free header wide following a Scott Phelan cross, but United still carried a threat going forward and Tynan excelled to keep out a Ross deflected drive from 20 yards.

Sleath then whistled a dipping 25-yarder agonisingly wide as United sensed a fifth goal.

United were angered when home substitute Fraser Ablett got away without punishment after crudely shoving Ben Fairclough into the advertising boards midway through the half. The visitors’ complaints were compounded when Ben Milnes was booked moments later for a soft foul on Stockton.

Bastock preserved his clean sheet with a terrific stop to deny Stockton late on, but the Pilgrims were already home and dry following a superb attacking first half performance.

Vauxhall Motors (4-4-2): Scott Tynan; Danny Fearnehough, Paul Jones, Tom Hannigan, Louis Horne (Fraser Ablett 46); Craig Mahon, David Mannix, Liam Wynn (Scott Phelan 46), John Lawless (Jonathan Egerton 46); Cole Stockton, Josh Wilson. Sub (not used): Gary Spotswood (gk).

Boston (4-3-3): Paul Bastock; Conor Marshall, Tom Ward, Nathan Stainfield, Gareth Jelleyman, Ben Milnes, Ian Ross (Chris Hall 88), Danny Sleath; Ben Fairclough (Tyrone Kirk 70), Spencer Weir-Daley (Leon Constantine 77), Marc Newsham. Subs (not used): Jason Lee, Ricky Drury (gk).

Referee: Scott Oldham