Boston United 4-2 AFC Mansfield

The quartet were on target at The Northolme as the Pilgrims prevailed 4-2 against AFC Mansfield in a match where Andi Thanoj, Jordan Thewlis and Connor Dimaio all rattled the visitors' woodwork.

Lynton Karkach and Tom Slone struck for the Bulls, whose three-match winning streak in this season's competition was brought to a decisive halt in a behind-closed-doors encounter at United's temporary home.

There were four United debutants in the starting XI and one of those, HAWKRIDGE, had the simple task of walking home Boston's first goal in the 12th minute following a mix-up between visiting keeper Hugo Warhurst and his backline.

United doubled their lead a minute later when Warhurst parried Thewlis' drive and BURROW gobbled up the rebound from close-range.

The Pilgrims had already seen Thanoj smack the crossbar with a precise free-kick.

Mansfield reduced the arrears in the 26th minute following a fine swivel and finish from KARKACH and they almost levelled eight minutes before the break when the lively Ross Duggan crashed an effort against the far post.

After seeing Thewlis' deflected drive cannon back off the post, United re-asserted their two-goal lead two minutes before half-time when SHIELS powered home Thanoj's corner delivery.

United rattled the woodwork for a third time when Dimaio sailed an effort against the post, before Warhurst made a great save to deny Shiels.

The Pilgrims soon added a fourth goal when PRESTON marked his arrival from the bench with a 74th minute angled effort.

Mansfield struck again four minutes from time, with substitute SLONE bulleting home a header on the end of Ben Algar's cross from the left, but the Pilgrims were safely through regardless.

Boston (4-3-3): Ross Fitzsimons; Tyrell Warren, Luke Shiels, Lewis Gibbens, Josh Askew; Andi Thanoj (Fraser Preston 62), Tom Platt, Connor Dimaio (Paul Green 70); Jordan Thewlis, Jordan Burrow (Jordan Archer 75), Terry Hawkridge. Subs (not used): Matt Tootle, Scott Duxbury, Scott Garner, Peter Crook (gk).

AFC Mansfield (4-4-2): Hugo Warhurst; Liam Marsden, Jordan Annable, Jack Harrison, Josh Wilde; Lynton Karkach (Luke Walker 75), Jonathan D'Laryea, Morgan James, Ben Algar; Ross Duggan (Tom Slone 82), Matt Sykes (Phil Buxton 67). Sub (not used): John Stancliffe (gk).

Referee: Oliver Mackey.

Attendance: Behind-Closed-Doors.

Photography: Russell Dossett.