Boston United 1-0 Workington

Marc Newsham scored the only goal of the game as Boston United booked their place in the first round proper of the FA Trophy.

The Pilgrims were dogged 1-0 victors over Workington, thanks to Newsham’s 58th minute strike.

David McNiven hit the post for the Reds in the second half, but the Pilgrims were not unduly troubled otherwise.

Paul Bastock had make a quickfire treble save moments before the break, but chances were at a premium in a scrappy encounter played in a swirling November wind.

Jason Lee and Lee Canoville sprang a surprise ahead of kick-off, with recent signings Tyrone Kirk and Ian Ross both starting instead of regular wide players Ryan Semple and Chris Hall.

Workington, smarting from two earlier defeats to the Pilgrims in Blue Square Bet North, were happy to pump long balls forward for Gareth Arnison and Jonny Wright to fight for, but United centre-halves Alan White and Kevin Austin were on top form.

The game’s first real chance arrived when Ross drove wide, at the second attempt, after Gareth Jelleyman’s cross had looped up.

Bastock produced heroics as the match ticked towards half-time. Anthony Wright cut in from the left and saw his shot beaten away by Bastock before the keeper parried Arnison’s rebound and clutched skipper David Hewson’s subsequent follow-up.

Workington threatened again after the break with Arnison capitalising on a defensive slip to round Bastock, but Kirk forced him wide and the chance was lost.

Boston responded with Sleath’s 25-yarder flying a fraction too high after Jordan Fairclough had teed up Kirk to assist.

The Pilgrims introduced Semple and he soon had a telling impact. The flying winger was fouled by Gari Rowntree and when Ben Milnes delivered the free-kick, Austin nodded the ball back across goal and NEWSHAM chested home from two yards.

Workington sought an immediate response and substitute David McNiven slid in to rattle the woodwork, at the back post, following Rowntree’s cross

Anthony Wright had a cross-shot parried wide by Bastock, while Phil McLuckie drilled too high from distance.

Boston tried to keep the ball to draw the sting out of the Reds — and created some late half-chances to kill off the game.

Milnes took the shot on from a free-kick, which Aaran Taylor saved at his near post, while Semple had a firm drive blocked by Rowntree.

Semple then screwed a shot well wide from Jordan Burrow’s assist, while Sleath’s fierce drive was clutched by Taylor, as the Pilgrims closed strongly.

Boston (4-4-2): Paul Bastock; Jordan Fairclough, Alan White, Kevin Austin, Gareth Jelleyman; Tyrone Kirk (Chris Hall 76), Ben Milnes, Ian Ross (Ryan Semple 57), Danny Sleath; Jason Lee, Marc Newsham (Jordan Burrow 82). Subs (not used): Ben Fairclough, Tom Ward.

Workington (4-4-2): Aaran Taylor; Lee Andrews, Paul Johnson, Kyle May, Gari Rowntree; Phil McLuckie (Jake Simpson 76), David Hewson, Adam Main, Anthony Wright (Stuart Green 84); Jonny Wright (David McNiven 15), Gareth Arnison. Subs (not used): Steven Snaith.

Referee: Anthony Horton