Histon 1-3 Boston United

The Pilgrims trailed to Daniel Sparkes’ well-taken eighth minute strike — but came roaring back into contention to secure their first victory of the season in a game in which they have conceded the first goal.

Newsham’s spot-kick got the Pilgrims level and two goals inside a five-minute second half spell from Sleath and Lee secured a deserved win for the away side.

Boosted by the defensive returns of Lee Canoville and Alan White, United made six changes to the side trounced at Altrincham a week earlier. Goalscoring trio Newsham, Sleath and Lee were joined in the starting line-up by sixth incomer Ryan Semple.

The Pilgrims, resplendent in white and royal blue for the first time this season, were jolted after eight minutes.

Zak Mills’ raking throughball caught United’s defence napping and SPARKES outstripped White down the Histon left to bury a firm angled drive beyond the grasp of keeper Paul Bastock, who was making his 650th competitive appearance for the Pilgrims.

The lead lasted eight minutes. Jay Dowie was penalised for handling White’s flick and NEWSHAM drove the ball home from the spot, despite the best efforts of keeper Jorg Stadelmann who guessed correctly.

Both sides created chances throughout the remainder of the half. Sparkes’ driven free-kick was turned aside by Bastock, while Semple’s deep cross was missed by Stadelmann and hit Newsham — with the ball dropping agonisingly wide.

The second half was one-way traffic as United cranked up the pressure.

Mulready advanced to crash an effort over from an ever-tightening angle, while Semple delivered curling cross to the back post, with Newsham unable to apply finishing touch.

Craig Armstrong volleyed an effort off target following Semple’s free-kick, while Lee headed down Gareth Jelleyman’s deep cross and Sleath slashed an effort wildly over from 20 yards

Semple’s brilliant cross was then headed wide by Newsham.

United finally took the lead on 62 minutes. Jelleyman’s long throughball found the run of SLEATH who produced a terrific outside-of-the-foot finish to guide the ball past Stadelmann.

Lee headed wide from a Semple cross moments later, but the same combination supplied United’s third goal on 67 minutes. Semple delivered from the right and LEE converted a bullet header from close-range which the assistant referee confirmed had crossed the line.

The United offensive continued and Lee’s header from Canoville’s cross was gathered by Stadelmann, while Lee controlled Nathan Stainfield’s long ball downfield, with Semple crashing a 25-yarder too high.

Histon fluffed a chance to force a nervy ending when Dan Holman volleyed over, unmarked from six yards, following a cross from Eugene Libertucci.

Substitute Jordan Burrow thought he had scored when he headed home Ben Milnes’ free-kick, but the assistant referee ruled it out for pushing.

White also headed wide from a Milnes set-piece as the Pilgrims closed proceedings in cruise control.

Histon (4-4-2): Jorg Stadelmann; Ollie Cleaver, Zak Mills, Danny Fitzsimmons, Harri Hawkins; Grant Roberts (Jack Sessions 78), Jay Dowie (Eugene Libertucci 71), Jim Stevenson, Daniel Sparkes; Dan Holman, Charlie Day. Subs (not used): Lewis McDonald, Joe Asensi, Calum Kitscha (gk).

Boston (4-4-2): Paul Bastock; Lee Canoville, Alan White, Nathan Stainfield, Gareth Jelleyman; Ryan Semple, Craig Armstrong (Ben Milnes 70), Danny Sleath, Marc Newsham; Jason Lee (Jordan Burrow 83), Sam Mulready (Ben Fairclough 73). Subs (not used): Kevin Austin, Ben Wilkinson.

Referee: Michael George