John-Lewis powered the Pilgrims into a 10th minute lead at Aldershot Town, with the hosts subsequently reduced to 10 men when Theo Widdrington was sent off for a challenge on Greg Sloggett.

John-Lewis doubled the advantage eight minutes after the break and Sloggett's strike 13 minutes from time proved to be the winner, with Hady Ghandour and Tristan Abrahams providing hope for the Shots.

With six players sidelined through injury ahead of kick-off, the Pilgrims were stretched – but got off to a dream start.

Jordan Cropper delivered a teasing ball from the right and JOHN-LEWIS powered a close-range header past an exposed Marcus Dewhurst.

Kieren Donnelly slammed another effort into the side-netting, with Aldershot responding positively through Ghandour and then Cameron Hargreaves.

Widdrington steamed into a challenge with Sloggett, with the United midfielder coming off worse and the Aldershot captain receiving a straight red card from referee Ross Martin.

The Shots visibly improved despite their one-man disadvantage – but the Pilgrims doubled their lead in the 53rd minute when Dylan Hill freed JOHN-LEWIS to finish low past Dewhurst.

Aldershot’s response was speedy, with GHANDOUR beating the offside trap to steer an angled effort past Rhys Lovett.

United gradually re-asserted themselves and scored what proved to be the winning goal when SLOGGETT let fly from distance, with his strike deflecting past Dewhurst.

Billy Bradley was handed a late debut, in place of the injured Zak Mills, and Aldershot reduced the arrears with a minute to play through substitute ABRAHAMS, who had scored against the Pilgrims on the final day of last season for Maidenhead United.

Fellow sub Archy Taylor had the ball in the back of the net with the last kick of the game – but United were spared by Lovett being fouled in the build-up.

Aldershot (3-4-2-1): Marcus Dewhurst; James Clarridge, Will Nightingale, Jed Meerholz (Tristan Abrahams 83); Maxwell Mullins (Noah Watson 67), Dejan Tetek, Theo Widdrington, Ryan Hill (Archy Taylor 83); Cameron Hargreaves (Kiban Rai 83), Josh Barrett (Kwame Thomas 63); Hady Ghandour. Subs (not used): Keane Anderson, Pat Nash (gk).

Boston (3-4-1-2): Rhys Lovett; Ben Grist, Zak Mills (Billy Bradley 83), Connor Teale; Jordan Cropper, Jordan Richards (Rocco Coyle 72), Greg Sloggett, Alex Lankshear; Dylan Hill; Lenell John-Lewis (Jordy Hiwula 63), Kieren Donnelly (Manni Norkett 63). Subs (not used): Luca Alonzi, Finley Ging, Bobby Jones (gk).

Referee: Ross Martin.

Attendance: 2,595 (237 visitors).

PIC: Chris Bray.