Boston United 2-1 Barrow

Steer notched his first-ever goal for the Pilgrims two minutes before the break and when Dickinson struck eight minutes after half-time, the Pilgrims were well on their way to an eighth straight opening day win.

Andy Cook soon cut the deficit but despite a constant bombardment in the closing minutes, United held on for three crucial Vanarama Conference North points.

United boss Dennis Greene had sprung a surprise ahead of kick-off by handing new signing Dickinson a full debut, less than 48 hours after first linking up with the Pilgrims.

Barrow bossed the early possession stakes but United created the first opening when former Bluebirds' defender Duran Reynolds tested Tony McMillan from 25 yards.

Barrow wasted a glorious chance when Cook drove across a shot from the left and Izak Reid fired wildly off target as the goal beckoned.

Cook then rattled the crossbar with a firm header from an Andy Burns cross before seeing another towering header ruled out for offside.

Conor Marshall's 25-yard drive was not far wide for the Pilgrims, but Barrow resumed their offensive with a stunning headed block required from Carl Piergianni to block Alex-Ray Harvey's piledriver.

United edged in front on 43 minutes when STEER advanced from deep, skipping past two challenges, before firing goalwards from 25 yards with the ball deflecting beyond McMillan.

The Pilgrims looked for further goals after the break and Jamie McGhee's shot was beaten away by McMillan following a surging run.

United doubled their lead on 53 minutes with a composed finish from debutant DICKINSON, sliding the ball past McMillan, following Dayle Southwell's precise throughball.

Barrow almost instantly cut the deficit when COOK got round the back of the United defence to angle a low drive beyond Sam Vince's grasp.

The Bluebirds enjoyed the bulk of possession during the remainder of the game, but Vince was only required to make one real save, acrobatically denying substitute Sam Sheridan in the closing stages.

Simon Grand had earlier rattled the crossbar, while fellow centre-half Danny Livesey headed over when well-placed, but United held on.

Boston (3-4-1-2): Sam Vince; Scott Garner, Carl Piergianni, Duran Reynolds (Danny Meadows 46); Zak Mills, Conor Marshall, Michael Hollingsworth, Rene Steer; Jamie McGhee; Chris Dickinson, Dayle Southwell (Stefan Galinski 78). Subs (not used): Jack Barlow, Niall Doran, Andy Hewitt (gk).

Barrow (3-5-2): Tony McMillan; Danny Livesey, Robbie Williams, Simon Grand; Andy Burns (Anthony Wilson 77), Alex-Ray Harvey (Sam Sheridan 70), Jamie Crowther, Izak Reid (Jamie Ellison 61), Niall Cowperthwaite; Andy Cook, Jason Walker. Subs (not used): Ted Cribley, Liam Willis.

Referee: Marvyn Amphlett.

Attendance: 1,311 (172 visitors).

PIC: Tim Hoff.