AFC Telford United 1-0 Boston United

Shane Sutton’s powerful 23rd minute header sealed victory for the Telford, who made it nine unbeaten at the New Bucks Head in the process.

Jordan Slew had Boston’s best chance before half-time but was denied by a fine Andy Wycherley save.

The Pilgrims had made three changes ahead of kick-off, with George Willis and Ben Middleton returning from suspension, while Spencer Harris started too.

The visitors fell behind to the game’s first meaningful chance when SUTTON met Stephan Morley’s deep corner delivery to power a bullet header into the net with Willis grasping at thin air.

Boston carved out three presentable chances to equalise before the break, but they found home keeper Wycherley in fine form.

Andi Thanoj played Slew into the clear but the United striker could only blaze into the legs of Wycherley from an angle.

The Telford stopper then excelled to deny Ryan Qualter from 25 yards before turning aside another drive from Slew.

The Bucks wasted a good chance to extend their lead after the break when Andre Brown cut the ball back for Darryl Knights to steer his effort over the bar from 15 yards.

The Pilgrims thought they should have had a penalty when Ross White tangled with David Norris, but referee Nathanael Cox was unmoved after insisting the ball was played first.

Boston struggled to create too many openings in the closing stages and Willis had to deny Amari Morgan-Smith, before the same player rattled the post, while the Boston keeper thwarted Henry Cowans at the death.

AFC Telford (3-4-1-2): Andy Wycherley; Theo Streete, Shane Sutton, Ross White; Henry Cowans, Jonathan Royle, James McQuilkin, Stephan Morley; Darryl Knights (Adam Dawson 85); Amari Morgan-Smith (Matthew Barnes-Homer 85), Andre Brown (Ryan Barnett 72). Subs (not used): Dom Smith, Max Bramley (gk).

Boston (3-5-2): George Willis; Ben Middleton (David Parkhouse 84), Ryan Qualter, James Jones; Ben Davies, David Norris (Danny Rowe 72), Andi Thanoj, Spencer Harris, Ashley Jackson; Gavin Allott, Jordan Slew (Max Wright 72). Subs (not used): Josh Hine, Sebastian Malkowski (gk).

Referee: Nathanael Cox.

Attendance: 1,146.