The Pilgrims were at their vibrant best during an outstanding opening 45 minutes - and took the lead through Elliott's 23rd goal of the season seven minutes before the break.

With Sheffield United loanee Femi Seriki excelling on his debut, United repelled the York threat after the break to record a wholly deserved away victory.

Seriki was handed his debut at right wing-back, with Tom Platt pressed into service as United's third centre-half.

United were on the front foot from the outset and Elliott missed two presentable chances, while Marcus Dewhurst twice thwarted Olly Dyson from distance.

The Pilgrims took a 38th minute lead when Shane Byrne worked the ball through to ELLIOTT to curl home a beauty beyond Peter Jameson from 25 yards.

Mitch Hancox, York's danger man over recent weeks, drilled an effort wide in the early stages of the second half, while Byrne and Joe Leesley both fired efforts off target as United attempted to kill the contest.

Kurt Willoughby's effort deflected narrowly wide for the hosts, while Matty Brown planted a header too high from a Michael Duckworth cross, as the Pilgrims held on - with Seriki denied a debut goal by a terrific last-gasp block by Sam Sanders.

York (4-2-3-1): Peter Jameson; Michael Duckworth, Max Kouogun, Matty Brown, Scott Barrow; Akil Wright, Paddy McLaughlin (Sam Sanders 78); Olly Dyson (Kurt Willoughby 78), Mitch Hancox, Jack McKay (Michael Woods 78); Lenell John-Lewis. Subs (not used): Remy Longdon, Maison Campbell (gk).

Boston (3-5-2): Marcus Dewhurst; Tom Platt, Luke Shiels, Brad Nicholson; Femi Seriki, Brad Abbott, Shane Byrne, Andi Thanoj (Ben Sault 90), Joe Leesley; Jordan Burrow (Ntumba Massanka 77), Danny Elliott. Subs (not used): Scott Duxbury, Fraser Preston, Finlay Armond.

Referee: Dean Watson.

Attendance: 2,954 (148 visitors).

PIC: Oliver Atkin.