Boston United 1-2 Altrincham

Davies' 80th minute spot-kick was a mere consolation as the Robins left The Jakemans Stadium with a deserved three-point haul.

First half strikes from Josh Hancock and Jordan Hulme did the damage, which could have been much worse but for some inspired goalkeeping from George Willis.

United had actually made the brighter start, with Gavin Allott heading off target following Davies’ free-kick delivery and Max Wright steering an effort into the side-netting following positive play from Nicky Walker and debutant Callum Chettle.

The Pilgrims’ afternoon soon started to unravel though and Willis had to make a fine save to thwart Max Harrop, before Lewis Gibbens blocked Hulme’s rebound.

The visitors went in front in the 24th minute when Harrop cut the ball back from the left for HANCOCK to steer an angled effort into the far corner of the net.

Willis kept out a Hancock header from a Harrop corner but the Robins took a two-goal lead in the 34th minute when HULME touched Andy White’s cross from the right into the far corner.

Willis made further saves from Hulme (twice) and Hancock, while his opposite number Tony Thompson excelled to keep out a long-range drive from Andi Thanoj.

Willis was at it again after the break with a fine stop to deny Hulme, with Ryan Qualter somehow getting himself in the way of Hancock’s driven follow-up, before the United stopper flew across his goal to palm aside John Johnston’s goalbound free-kick.

The Pilgrims were finally presented with a lifeline when Jake Moult fouled Allott and DAVIES tucked home the resulting penalty with 10 minutes to play.

United’s grandstand finale never really got going and the closest they came was when Thompson did enough to put Tai-Reece Chisholm off at the back post in stoppage time.

Boston (4-2-3-1): George Willis; Ben Davies, Ryan Qualter, Lewis Gibbens, Ashley Jackson; Brad Abbott (Jonathan Wafula 58), Andi Thanoj; Max Wright, Callum Chettle (Tai-Reece Chisholm 61), Nicky Walker (Jordan Slew 75); Gavin Allott. Subs (not used): Spencer Harris, Sebastian Malkowski (gk).

Altrincham (4-2-3-1): Tony Thompson; Andy White (Shaun Densmore 63), James Jones, Tom Hannigan, Connor Hampson; Jake Moult, Simon Richman; John Johnston (Sean Williams 85), Josh Hancock, Max Harrop (James Poole 79); Jordan Hulme. Subs (not used): Kallum Mantack, Ben Elliott.

Referee: Dean Watson.

Attendance: 964 (68 visitors).