Kidsgrove Athletic 2-0 Boston United

Long-range first half efforts from midfielders Sam Hall and Craig Dove secured the Staffordshire minnows a shock — but deserved — victory over the Pilgrims.

The result booked Grove a home tie against Long Buckby in the third qualifying round — while the Pilgrims were left to contemplate yet another disappointing exit from the world’s most famous cup competition.

The Pilgrims’ cause had hardly been aided in the run-up to kick-off, with Alan White deemed unfit to start due to illness — while a similar fate prevented Chris Hall from travelling.

Kevin Austin and Nathan Stainfield were paired at the back, while Ben Fairclough earned his first United start alongside co-boss Jason Lee.

The Pilgrims had the better chances early on — without seriously testing home keeper Steve Hodgson.

Ben Milnes’ free-kick dropped to Ben Fairclough, who turned to slam a shot too high from 12 yards, while good play from Fairclough culminated in a shot which was too high from 25 yards.

Lee then nodded down Paul Bastock’s long kick and Ryan Semple volleyed well wide.

Grove took the lead in the 19th minute when HALL seized possession 20 yards out before dispatching a low shot into the bottom corner.

Lee had a firm header saved by Hodgson from a Milnes’ corner, while Bastock produced a top save to keep out an Andy Kinsey free-kick from 20 yards.

United conceded a second goal eight minutes before half-time, with DOVE smashing home an unstoppable 30-yarder over the despairing dive of Bastock.

The Pilgrims threw bodies forward after the break in search of a route back into proceedings, but they were kept at bay by a determined home defence.

Hodgson excelled to keep out Ben Fairclough’s rising drive following a Lee flick, while skipper Gareth Jelleyman fired wildly over the bar from 18 yards when a decent opportunity presented itself.

Substitute Jordan Fairclough crashed a long-range effort too high — and the Pilgrims could have no complaints when the final whistle sounded to put United out of their misery.

Kidsgrove (4-4-1-1): Steve Hodgson; Danny Smith, Nick Ward, Wayne Johnson, Andy Taylor; Steve Brannan (Danny Griggs 90), Craig Dove, Sam Hall, Ashley Carter; Ross Davidson; Andy Kinsey. Subs (not used): Darren Twigg, Geoff Basford, Alex Morris.

Boston (4-4-2): Paul Bastock; Ben Wilkinson (Jordan Fairclough 51), Nathan Stainfield, Kevin Austin, Gareth Jelleyman; Ryan Semple (Jordan Burrow 51), Ben Milnes, Danny Sleath (Adam Millson 64), Marc Newsham; Jason Lee, Ben Fairclough. Subs (not used): Jason Field, Andy Hewitt (gk).

Referee: Robert Jones