Brackley Town 4-1 Boston United

The Pilgrims held their own for long spells at St James Park but conceded three times in an eight-minute spell to lose to a Brackley side unbeaten at home so far this season.

Shepherd Murombedzi, Jordan Nicholson, Aaron Williams and James Armson netted for the Saints, while skipper Jordan Keane scored a spectacular consolation for the Pilgrims with the scoreline at 3-0.

Brackley suffered an early injury blow when Alex Gudger limped off but the hosts soon went close to breaking the deadlock when Andy Brown’s header flew narrowly wide following Shane Byrne’s free-kick delivery from the hosts’ right-hand side.

United keeper Jon Stewart made a decent stop to keep out Nicholson’s drive from 18 yards while the Pilgrims went close with Brad Abbott lifting an effort too high from the edge of the box.

The visitors enjoyed a decent spell at the beginning of the second half and switched to a 3-5-2 formation with James Clifton and Kabongo Tshimanga coming off the bench.

Danny Lewis made an excellent save to parry Abbott’s drive to safety after Reece Thompson had inadvertently miscued Andi Thanoj’s free-kick.

Brackley took the lead in the 71st minute when MUROMBEDZI cracked home the loose ball after Stewart had denied substitute Armson and a follow-up from Matt Lowe rattled both posts.

NICHOLSON added the home side’s second goal four minutes later after diving to head home from close-range after Stewart had made two saves to deny the same player.

WILLIAMS killed off the Pilgrims once and for all four minutes further on when he wriggled through to beat Stewart with aplomb.

United reduced the arrears three minutes into stoppage time when KEANE exchanged passes with Stephen Brogan to advance and thump a low 30-yard drive past Lewis and into the net via the inside of the post.

Brackley’s three-goal cushion was re-established when United switched off defensively and Lowe cut the ball back for ARMSON to blast home from 18 yards.

Brackley (3-4-1-2): Danny Lewis; Gareth Dean, Luke Graham (Ellis Myles 67), Alex Gudger (Theo Streete 11); Matt Lowe, Shane Byrne, Shepherd Murombedzi, Glenn Walker; Jordan Nicholson; Andy Brown (James Armson 67), Aaron Williams. Subs (not used): Adam Walker, Joe Iaciofano.

Boston (4-3-3): Jon Stewart; Ben Middleton, Ryan Qualter, Jordan Keane, Stephen Brogan; Brad Abbott (Benny Igiehon 83), Jamie McGuire, Andi Thanoj; Jake Beesley (James Clifton 60), Reece Thompson, Ashley Hemmings (Kabongo Tshimanga 60). Subs (not used): Wes Atkinson, Jonathan Wafula.

Referee: Tom Reeves.

Attendance: 405.