The Pilgrims had to withstand a strong first half showing from the visitors - but seized control of the contest with a vibrant second half display.

Frankie Maguire set the ball rolling in the 50th minute, Jimmy Knowles added a second seven minutes later and captain Zak Mills wrapped up all three points with 10 minutes to play.

Southend had seen the first big chance of the contest go begging, with Macaulay Bonne heading wide on the end of Gus Scott-Morriss' cross from the right.

United were presented with their own glorious chance eight minutes before the break when Hazel robbed Ben Goodliffe to advance goalwards and rifle an effort across goal and narrowly wide.

Noor Husin saw a long-range drive fielded by Cameron Gregory while Boston-born Tom Hopper had a downward header clutched by the United keeper towards half-time.

United quickly seized the initiative after the break, with MAGUIRE cushioning home a first time effort, with his left foot, to leave Nick Hayes flat-footed in the Southend goal.

It was 2-0 seven minutes later when Hazel started a sweeping move inside his own half, which saw Cameron Green touching the ball on for KNOWLES to beat Hayes with an angled drive which the Southend keeper arguably should have saved.

Bonne was denied once again by Gregory, while Leon Parillon was thwarted by a terrific headed block on the line from Brad Nicholson.

United killed off the contest in the 80th minute when Southend only partially cleared their lines and MILLS chested the ball down in the penalty area to slam home from close-range.

Debutant Greg Sloggett, introduced only two minutes beforehand, had a hand in Mills' goal - following his loan move from Hartlepool United earlier in the day.

Boston (3-5-2): Cameron Gregory; Connor Teale, Zak Mills, Brad Nicholson; Jai Rowe, Dylan Hill (Olly Green 90), Jordan Richards, Frankie Maguire (Greg Sloggett 78), Cameron Green; Jimmy Knowles (Keaton Ward 84), Jacob Hazel (Adam Marriott 90). Subs (not used): Tony Weston, Jacob Scott, Jake Lovelace (gk).

Southend (3-5-2): Nick Hayes; Harry Taylor, Ben Goodliffe, Joe Gubbins; Gus Scott-Morriss; Keenan Appiah-Forson, Noor Husin (Charley Kendall 67), James Morton (Cav Miley 79), Leon Parillon; Tom Hopper (Josh Walker 79), Macaulay Bonne. Subs (not used): Nathan Ralph, George Wind, Oli Coker, Anssi Jaakkola (gk).

Referee: Niall Smith.

Attendance: 2,387 (397 visitors).

PIC: Chris Bray.