Luke Shiels opened the scoring for the second match running under the new United boss - with Fraser Preston adding a brace before half-time.

Ex-Chester striker Danny Elliott wrapped up the points with a second half spot-kick.

Cox had named an unchanged starting XI ahead of kick-off, with fit-again Scott Garner and new signing Ben Sault included on the substitutes' bench.

United took a 15th minute lead when SHIELS powered home Joe Leesley's deep corner delivery to the back post.

The Pilgrims doubled their advantage three minutes later when Elliott hooked a ball across from the left and a combination of visiting defender Simon Grand and PRESTON forced it home from close-range.

United effectively sealed the points in the 33rd minute when PRESTON buried an effort from 12 yards, after meeting Scott Duxbury's cushioned header into his path.

Preston was upended by Kevin Roberts eight minutes after the break - and ELLIOTT sailed home the resulting spot-kick to bag a goal against his old club.

Marcus Dewhurst made saves to deny Darren Stephenson, substitute Marcus Dackers and Rob Apter during the closing stages - but United had done more than enough to avenge their own 4-0 defeat at the Deva Stadium in November.

Boston (3-4-1-2): Marcus Dewhurst; Matt Tootle, Luke Shiels, Scott Duxbury; Keenan Ferguson, Tom Platt, Shane Byrne, Joe Leesley; Connor Dimaio (Ben Sault 82); Fraser Preston, Danny Elliott. Subs (not used): Scott Garner, Jordan Preston, Finlay Armond, Peter Crook (gk).

Chester (4-2-3-1): Louis Gray; Kevin Roberts, Matty Williams, Simon Grand, David Fitzpatrick; George Glendon, Paddy Lacey (James Horsfield 46); Rob Apter, Okera Simmonds (Marcus Dackers 46), Darren Stephenson; George Waring. Subs (not used): Harrison Burke, Josh Askew, Wyll Stanway (gk).

Referee: Dean Watson.

Attendance: 1,654 (142 visitors).

PIC: Tim Hoff.