Boston United 3-1 Tamworth

Hemmings struck from open play in the 52nd minute and from the penalty spot 10 minutes later to seal United's fourth consecutive home win, following Reece Thompson's opener midway through the first half.

Bradley Reid reduced the arrears with 16 minutes to play, but United held firm to make it 16 points from a possible 18.

With boss Craig Elliott heading into the game off the back of being awarded manager of the month for December, he made three changes to his United side with Jon Stewart and Ryan Qualter making their debuts after arriving from Shaw Lane on Friday.

There was also a third start in United colours for Taron Hare and his first since August 22.

The sides traded chances early on, with Hemmings waltzing through to blaze wide for the Pilgrims while Callum Powell went even closer for the Lambs with an effort across goal.

United took the lead with 23 minutes played when THOMPSON applied the finishing touch from close-range after Lee Bennett had hooked on Hemmings’ free-kick delivery.

Tamworth finally came to life in the closing stages of the first half and Stewart made good saves to deny Reid and Joel Kettle in quick succession before Ben Middleton blocked brilliantly to deny Darryl Knights.

United doubled their lead seven minutes after half-time when HEMMINGS picked the pocket of Andy Burns to cut into the penalty area and fire an effort beyond the dive of Dan Jezeph and into the far corner of the net.

The Pilgrims sealed all three points in the 62nd minute when Stephan Morley hacked down Thompson in the area and HEMMINGS rolled home his eighth successful spot-kick conversion of the season.

Tamworth cut the deficit when Aman Verma dispossessed Jordan Keane to put the ball on a plate for REID, on as a fourth minute sub for the injured Luke Jones, to fire past debutant Stewart.

Jezeph made a fine block to deny Thompson his second and United’s fourth in the dying moments, but the Pilgrims held on comfortably for all three points.

Boston (4-4-2): Jon Stewart; Ben Middleton, Ryan Qualter, Jordan Keane, Taron Hare; Jay Rollins, Brad Abbott, Andi Thanoj, Ashley Hemmings; Reece Thompson, Lee Bennett (Gregg Smith 46). Subs (not used): Jamie McGuire, Kabongo Tshimanga, Brad Beatson, George Willis (gk).

Tamworth (3-5-2): Dan Jezeph; Drew Ricketts, Luke Jones (Bradley Reid 4), Joel Kettle; Andy Burns, Theo Wharton, Aman Verma, Darryl Knights (Charlie Shaw 78), Stephan Morley; Callum Powell (Zack Kotwica 59), Connor Taylor. Subs (not used): Dexter Walters, Sam Aldhouse.

Referee: Anthony Tankard.

Attendance: 1,050 (37 visitors).