Histon 1-2 Boston United

The United strikers accounted for Histon in windswept conditions at the Glassworld Stadium, despite Lewis Taaffe's reply from the penalty spot nine minutes from time.

The result lifted the Pilgrims to third place in Skrill North ahead of Saturday's huge encounter against Brackley Town.

It was also a welcome return to form on the road for the Pilgrims, having not won away since November 12 at Gainsborough Trinity.

United were completely unchanged from the team that had trounced Gainsborough 6-0 on Saturday and they were in front after only four minutes.

Carl Piergianni looped Conor Marshall's free-kick goalwards and NEWSHAM beat Calum Kitscha to steer the Pilgrims in front.

Histon had a strong downfield wind in their favour in the first half and United had to defend for their lives at times, particularly with full-back Zak Mills pumping long throws into the box at every opportunity.

On one such occasion, Taaffe headed over at the back post when he should have at least hit the target.

Southend United loanee Seedy Njie then clipped Nathan Hicks through, but he lobbed the ball wide from 18 yards.

United responded with Newsham's glancing header flying into the side-netting following Ryan Semple's excellent right-wing cross.

With the wind in their favour after the break, United looked to kill the contest and went close when Miller's header was tipped over by Kistcha following Semple's inviting cross.

There was a glorious chance for Hicks, following Grant Roberts' cutback, but the Histon midfielder blazed the ball over the bar from six yards.

Miller lashed a bouncing effort wide from 20 yards after being played through by Newsham, while United received a let-off when Njie saw his angled header bounce back off the post following Nick Freeman's cross.

Miller's cross then deflected on to a post and wide, moments before United doubled their lead with WEIR-DALEY sidestepping two challenges to blast home a beauty from 20 yards, low to Kitscha's right.

Straight from kick-off, Histon attacked and Garner was adjudged to have fouled Njie in the box and TAAFFE chipped the penalty down the middle to restore hope for the hosts.

United had different ideas though and some heroic blocks ensured the three points went back to Lincolnshire.

Histon (4-3-3):Calum Kitscha; Harry O'Malley, Will De Havilland, Omar Beckles, Zak Mills; Michael Clunan (Nick Freeman 46), Jay Dowie (Andrew Phillips 82), Nathan Hicks; Kaine Sheppard (Grant Roberts 46), Seedy Njie, Lewis Taaffe. Subs (not used): Charlie Day, Claudiu Hoban.

Boston (4-3-3): Sam Vince; Conor Marshall, Scott Garner, Carl Piergianni, Rene Steer; Jamie McGhee, Kyle Dixon, Liam Agnew; Ryan Semple (Spencer Weir-Daley 67), Marc Newsham (Stefan Galinski 82), Ricky Miller. Subs (not used): Ian Ross, Ben Fairclough, Lewis King (gk).

Referee: Carl Fitch

Attendance: 353

PIC: Jake Whiteley