Boston United 0-2 Peterborough Sports

First half goals from Josh Moreman and Josh McCammon eliminated the Pilgrims and secured a deserved victory for the Evo-Stik South Division One Central high-flyers in the process.

The Pilgrims showed an improvement after the interval but were unable to break down an organised Peterborough backline.

Newest recruits David Norris and Gregg Smith were named on the United bench, with Spencer Harris replacing the injured Andi Thanoj in the only change to the previous weekend’s defeat to Chester FC.

The visitors, with four ex-Pilgrims in their starting XI, took a 16th minute lead with two of the former United players taking centre stage.

Mark Jones nodded down a long ball forward and Lewis Hilliard subsequently fed MOREMAN to sail home an effort from the edge of the box.

Ryan Qualter was required to block another goalbound effort from Moreman, but Sports were two goals to the good in the 35th minute when the Pilgrims failed to clear Hilliard’s free-kick and McCAMMON guided home the loose ball.

United finally mustered an effort on goal a minute before half-time but Nicky Walker found visiting keeper Lewis Moat in resolute form.

Norris and Smith both emerged as half-time substitutes and United were soon denied a route back into proceedings by Mitch Griffiths, who hacked an Ahkeem Rose effort off the line.

Moat made a flying save to keep out Ben Davies but Sports came agonisingly close to a third goal when Jones’ lob bounced back off the crossbar and Avelino Vieira missed his kick in front of goal.

The match soon degenerated into a series of fouls, stoppages and cautions as Peterborough deservedly booked a place in Monday’s third qualifying round draw.

Boston (4-4-2): George Willis; Ben Davies, Ryan Qualter, Ben Middleton, Ashley Jackson; Max Wright, Brad Abbott (David Norris 46), Spencer Harris, Nathan Arnold (Gregg Smith 46); Ahkeem Rose (Adam Marriott 67), Nicky Walker. Subs (not used): Jonathan Wafula, Andre Johnson, Jordan Gough, Jonny Margetts.

Peterborough (4-2-3-1): Lewis Moat; Mitch Griffiths, Stuart Wall, Paul Malone, Dan Bucciero; Dan Lawlor (Liam Marshall 86), Josh McCammon; Avelino Vieira, Lewis Hilliard (Lewis Webb 76), Josh Moreman (Jordan Brown 69); Mark Jones. Subs (not used): Jake Newman, Richard Jones, James Connell (gk).

Referee: Robbie Dadley.

Attendance: 935 (92 visitors).