NEW Harriers manager Jimmy Shan tasted defeat in his first game in charge as Boston United won 3-1 at Aggborough Stadium.

New man Shan, appointed at Harriers on Friday, was forced to make two changes due to injury.

Both Richard Peniket and Ed Williams picked up knocks in the draw against Gateshead; with Alex Prosser and Milan Butterfield coming into the starting eleven.

A quiet first portion of the game featured little, save for its most pivotal moment, the award of a penalty to the visitors after Cliff Moyo had been adjudged to have fouled Jake Wright – Jordan Thewlis stepping up to convert from 12 yards.

Harriers responded a little over ten minutes later, a dangerous corner delivery missing everyone on its way to Moyo who lunged at it and forced it over the line for his second of the season.

Within a couple of minutes Harriers had a couple of chances to go 2-1 up; Davidson crashing a ball just wide of the target and Weeks lifting one over the bar. The Reds’ injury woes would worsen after the half-hour; the vital and influential Hemmings withdrawn after falling victim to a poor challenge from Penny.

Harriers could and should have gone ahead either right before the interval or just after it. Austin forced a good save from Crook between the sticks as he met Davidson’s cross, before a flurry of chances after the restart took the home side even closer; a Chamber shot well blocked before Austin saw his attempt ricochet up and on to the bar when it looked destined for the net.

Chambers, the Aggborough top scorer, was then denied when his shot was hooked off the line – the hosts left in despair when the visitors stole ahead with 51 on the clock as Knowles arched his neck to turn home at the far post.

Th game then became disjointed as confidence dropped, Boston left looking like the only team who’d add to the score, Mannion doing well to keep out a Thewlis shot on 63 before, later, Whittle waltzed through the home defence before being thwarted by the stopper.

The third goal did come, and it was again too simple for the Pilgrims as sub Wafula, with his first touch, planted a header into the top corner.

HARRIERS: Mannion, Austin, Davidson, R Williams, Johnson, Weeks, Moyo, Prosser, Butterfield, Hemmings (Shenton 38), Chambers (Diau 81) Subs not used: Neligwa, Palmer Digie.

Attendance: 1,102 Referee: Richard Holmes