Nuneaton Town 1-3 Boston United

Debutant Robbins handed United an 18th minute lead at Nuneaton Town, which Southwell doubled six minutes later and Garner added United's third 13 minutes after the break.

Town substitute Rob Duffy scored soon after coming off the bench but the Pilgrims held firm to capture three valuable points on the road.

Robbins had been included from the start in one of four changes to United's side and the former Stamford attacker was at the forefront of the Pilgrims' early attacking play.

Nuneaton keeper Jordan Smith was called upon to thwart Southwell after Robbins had threaded him through, while a crucial block from centre-half Jack Lane denied Southwell a near certain goal after Zak Mills' long throw.

United took the lead following plenty of enterprise from midfield marauder Roberts. He surged from deep in midfield to break into the box and his angled drive was touched home from close-range by ROBBINS.

Henrich Ravas produced a top stop in response to deny Joe Maguire following James Clifton's partially-cleared free-kick.

Ravas' save provided the springboard for United to double their lead in the 24th minute, with Roberts putting the ball through the eye of a needle to feed SOUTHWELL who did the rest with a cool, composed finish beyond an advancing Smith.

The United keeper, playing because of an injury sustained by Jason Alexander seven days previously, made another important save before the break to deny Aaron Williams.

Southwell had two massive chances to extend United's lead inside the opening five minutes of the second half. He crashed a drive off the crossbar following Mills' long throw before slamming the ball wide of the near post following Robbins' excellent assist.

United's third goal arrived on the 58-minute mark when GARNER won the initial header from Roberts' free-kick and then got on the end of Robbins' scuffed follow-up to blast past Smith.

The Pilgrims' three-goal cushion last just three minutes. James Reid delivered a corner and despite Ravas denying Maguire, DUFFY rose highest to power home a follow-up header.

Williams' angled drive whistled across goal and wide as Town threatened to mount a real fightback, but the Pilgrims closed strongly and Roberts crashed an effort marginally wide before Nicky Walker's header was cleared off the line by Maguire after Smith had dropped Mark Jones' cross under pressure from the returning Kaine Felix.

Nuneaton (3-4-1-2): Jordan Smith; Jordan Keane, Joe Maguire, Jack Lane; James Clifton, Elliott Whitehouse, Callum Chettle, James Reid (Cieron Keane 75); Shane Byrne; Marlon Harewood (Rob Duffy 57), Aaron Williams. Subs (not used): Jack Dyer, Billy Daniels, Zeus De La Paz (gk).

Boston (4-3-3): Henrich Ravas; Liam Marrs, Zak Mills, Carl Piergianni, Aaron Greene (Kyle Dixon 29); Scott Garner, Jordan Richards, Grant Roberts; Mark Jones, Dayle Southwell (Kaine Felix 68); Ryan Robbins (Nicky Walker 78). Subs (not used): Jay Dowie, Cameron Johnson.

Referee: Richard Wild.

Attendance: 774.