Boston United 3-2 Altrincham

The Pilgrims led twice before half-time, through goals from Conor Marshall and Spencer Weir-Daley, which sandwiched a stunning Shaun Densmore free-kick.

Scott Garner added a third after the break and although James Walshaw cut the deficit with eight minutes to go, the Pilgrims stood firm to record a notable home win.

It was the Pilgrims’ first victory over the Robins since 1999 and ended a run of five matches without a win since the sides were re-united in 2011-2012.

Altrincham started brightly, with Jake Moult seeing a penalty appeal waved away inside the opening minute, before Damian Reeves scuffed a shot in front of goal seconds later.

It provided United with the platform to take the lead on eight minutes. Marc Newsham’s corner picked out Ian Ross, whose shot was blocked and MARSHALL hooked home the rebound through Gianluca Havern’s legs and via a deflection off Scott Leather.

It was the perfect start and United almost doubled their lead when Carl Piergianni headed goalwards, only to be denied by Moult’s headed clearance on the line, following a Ross corner.

Ross then saw an audacious 35-yarder tipped around the post by Stuart Coburn, while the Altrincham keeper soon denied Ricky Miller who had been set clear by a clever pass from the United skipper.

The visitors levelled three minutes before half-time. Garner was deemed to have fouled Walshaw 25 yards from goal and DENSMORE sailed a perfect free-kick over the wall and high to Ashley Timms’ right.

United were undettered though and re-asserted their advantage deep into first half stoppage time. Miller was the creator, bursting down the left to cross and WEIR-DALEY did the rest with a bullet finish from inside the box.

Weir-Daley almost added a third at the beginning of the second half, but his drive flashed to safety off the post.

Timms was called upon to keep out a Densmore drive at his near post, while Stefan Galinski charged a Moult drive to safety.

Chances continued to arrive at both ends in a wide open environment, with Coburn excelling to keep out Miller’s drive following a Piergianni knockdown while Reeves squared for Walshaw to slam an effort into Timms’ side-netting.

United created another glorious chance when Miller played in Weir-Daley, but he could only drill across goal and wide.

The Pilgrims finally added their third goal in the 75th minute when Galinski headed Ben Milnes’ corner back across goal and GARNER applied the finishing touch despite Densmore’s best efforts on the line.

Altrincham threw caution to the wind, with the game virtually out of their reach and Havern scuffed an effort wide, while Garner did brilliantly to block Walshaw’s goalbound drive.

The Robins threw themselves a lifeline in the 82nd minute when James Lawrie delivered a delicious cross from the right and WALSHAW got up to glance the ball into the top corner.

With memories of throwing a three-goal lead away seven days earlier, United were determined to not let a two-goal advantage slip through their fingers on this occasion and defended resolutely in the closing stages, notably with Galinski throwing himself in the way of another crashing Densmore free-kick.

Boston (3-4-3): Ashley Timms; Stefan Galinski, Scott Garner, Carl Piergianni; Conor Marshall (Netan Sansara 60), Ian Ross (Ben Milnes 65), Jake Hall, Rene Steer; Spencer Weir-Daley, Ricky Miller, Marc Newsham (Indy Aujla 81). Subs (not used): Charley Sanders, Sam Vince (gk).

Altrincham (4-4-2): Stuart Coburn; Shaun Densmore, Gianluca Havern, Scott Leather (Carl Rodgers 46), Matt Doughty; James Lawrie, Simon Richman, Jake Moult (Kyle Perry 73), Nicky Clee (Greg Wilkinson 46); Damian Reeves, James Walshaw. Subs (not used): Brian Smikle, Rob Gilroy.

Referee: Martin Dexter

Attendance: 1,081 (75 visitors)