Boston United 2-0 Southport

The Pilgrims were good value for a first half lead which eventually arrived in the 42nd minute when Abbott started and finished a fine move involving Dominic Knowles.

Abbott turned provider with a fabulous throughball for Thewlis in the 68th minute as United wrapped up the points with relative ease, although their afternoon ended on a sour note when Jay Rollins was stretchered off with an ankle injury.

Craig Elliott had opted to name an unchanged line-up to the one which had triumphed comfortably at Stamford AFC seven days previously.

United started like an express train and Alex Whittle’s cross from the left was crashed against the crossbar from close-range by Rollins.

Abbott and Rollins subsequently helped tee up Thewlis to see an effort go begging, while visiting keeper Charlie Albinson soon made a flying save to keep out United’s top scorer.

Thewlis then burst away from Ryan Astles before supplying the ammunition for Knowles, but he miscued in front of goal and the opportunity was lost.

The Pilgrims finally took the lead three minutes before half-time when ABBOTT set Knowles away down the left before arriving on cue to sweep home the resulting pinpoint cross.

Zehn Mohammed bravely denied Knowles after the break, while Nicky Walker crashed a straight free-kick too high from 25 yards.

Port roused themselves and Peter Crook made a brilliant save to deny Andy Parry following Brad Bauress’ corner, while Whittle blocked brilliantly to deny Kieran Glynn and Jack Sampson’s header clipped the crossbar following a long Reagan Ogle throw-in.

Thewlis had a goal chalked off for offside following a Whittle cross from the left, but the Pilgrims were soon two goals to the good.

Abbott split the Southport rearguard with a fantastic pass and THEWLIS ran on to beat Albinson with a great angled finish.

Rollins’ injury took the gloss off United’s afternoon somewhat but the three points were long since secured despite seven minutes of additional time.

Boston (4-4-2): Peter Crook; Ben Middleton, Luke Shiels, Simon Ainge, Alex Whittle; Jay Rollins (Andi Thanoj 89), Brad Abbott, Tom Platt, Nicky Walker (Jordan Adebayo-Smith 78); Dominic Knowles (Shaun Tuton 90), Jordan Thewlis. Subs (not used): Lewis Gibbens, George Green.

Southport (4-2-3-1): Charlie Albinson; Zehn Mohammed, Andy Parry, Ryan Astles, Reagan Ogle; David Morgan (Paddy Lacey 62), Russell Benjamin; Kieran Glynn (George Newell 75), Raul Correia (Connor Woods 62), Brad Bauress; Jack Sampson. Subs (not used): Devarn Green, Dan Hanford (gk).

Referee: Sam Mulhall.

Attendance: 1,021 (38 visitors).