Altrincham 0-1 Boston United

Agnew combined with substitute Waide Fairhurst to slam home the Pilgrims' winner on 70 minutes.

United had been dominant before half-time but were reliant on some excellent saves after the break from Dion-Curtis Henry to seal the win.

Dennis Greene had opted to make four changes ahead of kick-off, with Ben Gordon handed his debut at left-back.

Altrincham, winless in league action, threatened early on with Greg Wilkinson and Jake Moult both testing Henry from distance but United’s on-loan keeper made good stops on both occasions.

United came alive with Gregg Smith heading narrowly wide following Agnew’s cross while Lamin Colley, making a rare start, saw one drive grabbed by Andrew Dawber and another effort blocked by the shins of the home goalkeeper.

Agnew came close to scoring a goal of the season contender when he pulled a long ball out of the sky before chipping Dawber, only to see his effort drop agonisingly wide.

Colley and Smith had further chances before the break as the Pilgrims closed the half on top.

Altrincham were more dominant after half-time, with Wilkinson’s effort deflecting wide, Craig Hobson nodding off target and Henry saving well to deny James Lawrie.

The Pilgrims took the lead with 20 minutes to play when AGNEW and Fairhurst neatly combined and the former lashed the ball home from inside the box.

Henry made a brave, sprawling save to keep out an effort from Lawrie before touching Wilkinson’s long-ranger wide in the dying seconds.

Altrincham (4-4-2): Andrew Dawber; Sam Patterson, John Cyrus, Alan Goodall, Josh Doherty; James Lawrie, Jake Moult, Greg Wilkinson, Sean Miller (Harry Cain 72); Damian Reeves, Craig Hobson (Sam Heathcote 76). Subs (not used): Tom Hannigan, Danny Hattersley, Tim Deasy (gk).

Boston (4-4-2): Dion-Curtis Henry; Kalern Thomas, Joe Maguire, Joe Robinson, Ben Gordon; Marcus Marshall; Liam Agnew, Jason St Juste (Joe Burgess 86); Jay Rollins; Lamin Colley (Waide Fairhurst 59), Gregg Smith. Subs (not used): Lewis Hilliard, Courtney Wildin, Cameron Johnson.

Referee: Paul Newhouse.

Attendance: 918 (62 visitors).