Carver (17) and Archer (54) put the home side in control before Preston cut the deficit with 19 minutes to play - although Carver completed his hat-trick with two late strikes to add gloss to Southport's victory.

Manager Craig Elliott had made four changes ahead of kick-off - two of which were enforced with Scott Duxbury and Danny Elliott serving one-match suspensions.

United made much of the early running at the Pure Stadium, but fell behind in the 17th minute when CARVER angled home his first of the afternoon - seconds after being denied by Peter Crook following an initial slip from the United keeper.

The Pilgrims continued to create a series of half-chances, but it was Crook who made the next meaningful save by tipping Charlie Munro's effort onto the crossbar from 25 yards.

The hosts doubled their advantage nine minutes after the break, with ARCHER glancing a close-range header beyond an exposed Crook, following Josh Hnami's floated ball from the right.

Home stopper Cameron Mason made a fine save to deny Paul Green, but the visitors reduced the arrears with substitute PRESTON blasting home a left-footed beauty after Southport had failed to clear their lines amid a packed penalty area.

CARVER took the game away from United again in the 82nd minute with a close-range finish - and CARVER completed the scoring on 90 minutes following a cross from substitute Isaac Buckley-Ricketts.

Southport (4-4-2): Cameron Mason; Doug Tharme, Liam Edwards (Niall Watson 78), Adam Anson, Jack Doyle; Josh Hnami (Isaac Buckley-Ricketts 78), Charlie Oliver, Charlie Munro, Dylan Vassallo; Marcus Carver, Jordan Archer (Connor Woods 78). Subs (not used): George Newell, Tony McMillan (gk).

Boston (4-3-3): Peter Crook; Keenan Ferguson, Luke Shiels, Scott Garner, Matt Tootle; Paul Green, Tom Platt, Shane Byrne; Joe Leesley (Fraser Preston 61), Jordan Burrow (Jake Wright Jnr 61), Jordan Preston. Subs (not used): Loick Ayina, Finlay Armond.

Referee: Claudio Gavillucci.

Attendance: 1,018.

PIC: Sean Walsh.