Altrincham 6-1 Boston United

Jason Lee struck for the Pilgrims — but United already trailed 3-0 by that point.

Damien Reeves scored a hat-trick for Altrincham, while James Lawrie, Michael Twiss and Astley Mulholland were all on target too.

The Pilgrims could have few complaints with the eventual outcome — with goalkeeper Paul Bastock providing the only barrier between Altrincham’s strikers chalking up double figures.

United had made changes ahead of kick-off, with loanees Jordan Burrow and Sam Mulready paired in an inexperienced attack. Jordan Fairclough, Craig Armstrong and Chris Hall also started.

Both sides tried to play good football on a slick surface early on, but there were few chances created before Altrincham took the lead on 14 minutes.

Lawrie delivered a cross from the right and REEVES arrived behind Kevin Austin to lift the ball high into the net.

Nicky Clee drilled too high for the hosts, while two bullet efforts from Reeves were repelled by Bastock in quick succession.

Altrincham doubled their lead on 27 minutes. LAWRIE cut in from the right, before exchanging passes with Reeves, and drilling low into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Boston’s only meaningful first half chance saw Nathan Stainfield’s header tipped wide by Stuart Coburn following a Hall corner.

Bastock made further saves to deny Lawrie and Reeves before half-time.

United introduced Ryan Semple after the break, but the visitors were further behind inside 50 seconds of kick-off. Lawrie’s first effort was blocked by Bastock, with REEVES stooping to head home the rebound.

The Altrincham barrage continued with Reeves drilling wide when well-placed, while Shaun Densmore rattled the bar from 40 yards.

Lawrie had a shot blocked on the line by Stainfield, while Bastock grabbed Anthony Danylyk’s low drive and then denied Twiss from distance.

United cut the deficit on 65 minutes with LEE sweeping the ball home following Semple’s excellent cross from the right.

Further goals arrived for Altrincham on 75, 84 and 87 minutes respectively.

REEVES completed his hat-trick after rolling free from Gareth Jelleyman to fire past an exposed Bastock.

Mulholland then assisted from the left and TWISS applied a lovely 18-yard finish

United’s misery was compounded three minutes from time when MULHOLLAND found space to squeeze home a shot off the inside of Bastock’s far post.

Altrincham (4-4-2): Stuart Coburn; Mark Lees, Rob Williams, Adam Flynn, Ryan Brown; James Lawrie, Anthony Danylyk, Shaun Densmore, Nicky Clee (Astley Mulholland 60); Michael Twiss, Damien Reeves (Simon Richman 80). Subs (not used): Chris Lynch, Brian Summerskill, Adam Reid (gk).

Boston (4-4-2): Paul Bastock; Jordan Fairclough, Nathan Stainfield, Kevin Austin, Gareth Jelleyman; Ben Fairclough, Ben Wilkinson, Craig Armstrong (Ryan Semple 46), Chris Hall; Jordan Burrow (Marc Newsham 58), Sam Mulready (Jason Lee 58). Subs (not used): Ben Milnes, Ricky Drury (gk).

Referee: Paul Curry