Boston United 2-1 Curzon Ashton

Southwell's spot-kicks hit the back of the net in the 25th and 43rd minutes after respective red cards for visiting defenders Alex Frost and Jonathan Hunt.

Gary Burnett had handed newly-promoted Curzon the lead inside 93 seconds but United fought back strongly and spurned numerous chances in the second half to extend their lead and blotted their copybook in stoppage time when key defender Carl Piergianni received his marching orders.

It was a welcome victory for the Pilgrims following opening defeats to Stockport County and Solihull Moors but the afternoon did not start well.

The Pilgrims were cut open by the visiting Nash side inside two minutes and BURNETT was afforded a simple close-range finish beyond an exposed Jason Alexander.

Jay Rollins and Jamie McGhee carried much of United's threat in the first half and the former had a drive beaten aside by Curzon's impressive stopper Hakan Burton.

United bossed the first half possession stakes and were rewarded by winning their first penalty when Frost upended Mark Jones as he looked set to fire Boston level. Frost was sent off and SOUTHWELL stroked home the spot-kick.

McGhee soon saw his cross stabbed agonisingly wide by midfield marauder Scott Garner, while Rollins had a cross-shot tipped wide by Burton.

The Pilgrims won their second penalty at the end of the opening period when assistant referee Dean Appleby spotted Hunt had stamped on Garner and the Nash defender was dismissed by referee Tom Bramall. SOUTHWELL did the business from the spot once again.

United's task after the break was trying to break down the two banks of four blue shirts in front of them, but a combination of poor finishing and inspired goalkeeping denied them.

Jones' glancing header was held by Burton following McGhee's cross from the left, while Burton soon made a terrific save to thwart Jones, who had burst through and blasted powerfully at goal.

Substitute and league debutant Cameron Johnson did well to free McGhee down the left and he cut inside to drill off target from 20 yards while Burton then denied a clean through Johnson with an excellent low save.

Burton made further saves to keep out Southwell's stinging, angled drive, while Jack Friend's curler was tipped on to the crossbar and Rollins' headed follow-up was ruled out for offside.

Piergianni was handed his first yellow card in the 88th minute and received another five minutes later to earn the third red card of his United career.

Boston (4-4-2): Jason Alexander; Grant Roberts, Liam Marrs, Carl Piergianni, Aziz Deen-Conteh; Jay Rollins, Scott Garner, Kyle Dixon, Jamie McGhee; Dayle Southwell (Jack Friend 84), Mark Jones (Cameron Johnson 69). Subs (not used): Jake Sheridan, Jordan Deacey, Henrich Ravas (gk).

Curzon (4-2-3-1): Hakan Burton; Alex Frost, Jonathan Hunt, Daniel Shaw, George Grayson; Simon Lakeland, Liam Tomsett; Ryan Brooke, Alex Brown, Matthew Warburton (Niall Cummins 46); Gary Burnett (Chris Rowney 61). Subs (not used): Jordan Wright, Ben Atkinson, Cameron Mason (gk).

Referee: Tom Bramall.

Attendance: 1,040 (39 visitors).