Lebrun Mbeka was needlessly red-carded a minute before half-time for a two-footed challenge, with Darlington trio Mark Beck, Jacob Hazel and Jake Lawlor all striking within a 12-minute second half period. Pollock scored again in the final minute.

United handed a debut to striker Byron Harrison - recruited from Connah's Quay Nomads via a brief spell with Altrincham.

The Pilgrims needed a good save from Sam Long to stay on terms early on - with Hazel denied from 25 yards.

United were excellent in the first half though, with Ben Pollock's header being cleared off the line by Alex Purver following Scott Pollock's corner, while Scott Pollock then forced Tommy Taylor into a close-range save before skewing the rebound wide.

Harrison was subsequently fouled by Jassem Sukar, with referee Richard Holmes having no qualms in awarding the penalty and Scott POLLOCK sent Taylor the wrong way from the spot.

The course of proceedings changed in the final minute of the half when Mbeka flew in recklessly on Jack Lambert - and Holmes brandished the red card.

Darlington quickly took advantage of their numerical advantage to turn the tables after the break. Seven minutes in, BECK headed home from an Adriano Moke cross and HAZEL swooped four minutes later after Long could only push Lambert's drive back into danger.

The Quakers added goal number three in bizarre circumstances - with Lambert's cross bouncing into the net off an unsuspecting LAWLOR.

Scott Pollock whistled a free shot at goal into the side-netting, while Taylor produced a brilliant save to tip Jake Wright's header on to the crossbar following Keenan Ferguson's cross.

There was still time for Scott POLLOCK to fire home at the back post after meeting Micah Obiero's cross from the right, but United ran out of time to snatch an unlikely leveller.

Darlington (4-2-3-1): Tommy Taylor; Kallum Griffiths, Jake Lawlor, Jassem Sukar, Ben Hedley; Alex Purver (Ben Liddle 70), Adriano Moke (Danny Rose 78); Kaine Felix, Jack Lambert, Jacob Hazel (Jarrett Rivers 89); Mark Beck. Subs (not used): Junior Mondal, Jordan Emery.

Boston (4-2-3-1): Sam Long; Keenan Ferguson, Jean Leroy Belehouan, Ben Pollock, Alex Brown; Lebrun Mbeka, Will Atkinson; Jordon Crawford (Micah Obiero 89), Scott Pollock, Joe Leesley; Byron Harrison (Jake Wright 68). Subs (not used): Ellis Myles, Zak Mills, Rhys Davies (gk).

Referee: Richard Holmes.

Attendance: 1,321.

PIC: Oliver Atkin.