Tamworth 1-0 Boston United

Ross Dyer's goal on the stroke of half-time proved to be the difference, with home keeper James Belshaw denying Richard Brodie from the penalty spot in the early stages of the second half.

United crafted a string of chances to equalise, with Callum Chippendale particularly prominent, but they were unable to find a way through an organised home rearguard.

Murray had opted to make two changes ahead of kick-off, with Chippendale and Marcus Marshall preferred to Charlie Gatter and Jay Rollins respectively.

Ross Durrant was required to make two fine saves in the opening stages to keep out Stephan Morley’s swerving near post drive and an angled effort from Dyer, while Paul Green headed wide from a Morley corner.

United came alive with Alex Simmons threading Chippendale into the clear, but his finish was lacking, while Simmons himself sailed a 25-yarder narrowly wide.

Chippendale subsequently blasted wide following Marshall’s cutback before heading wide from Simmons’ cross from the left and firing another tame effort wide after being played in by Marshall.

Tamworth took the lead in the 45th minute when Morley’s cross from the left evaded the United defence and DYER was able to stab the ball over the line from close-range.

Brodie won United a spot-kick eight minutes after the break but his low penalty was turned aside by Belshaw, who had denied Grant Roberts from the spot in the reverse fixture in August.

Chippendale’s wayward afternoon in front of goal continued by heading wide following Kalern Thomas’ deep cross from the right before Marshall slashed an effort wide following Rollins’ assist.

Brodie forced Belshaw into a decent save in the closing stages while sub Josh Robinson glanced a header wide as United came up short in their attempts to find a leveler.

Tamworth (3-5-2): James Belshaw; Andrew Burns, Paul Green, Jack Lane; Ben Fox (Kai Davis 54), Louis Briscoe, Joe Clarke, Ellis Deeney, Stephan Morley; Ross Dyer (Danny Newton 75), Reece Styche (Aaron Opoku 89). Subs (not used): Jed Davies, Dan Jezeph (gk).

Boston (4-3-3): Ross Durrant; Kalern Thomas, Nat Brown (Josh Robinson 46), Tom Batchelor, Ben Gordon; Joe Fitzpatrick, Shane Clarke, Callum Chippendale (Karl Hawley 66); Marcus Marshall, Richard Brodie, Alex Simmons (Jay Rollins 59). Subs (not used): Lewis Hilliard, Charlie Gatter.

Referee: Paul Graham.

Attendance: 805 (131 visitors).