Boston made a winning start under new boss Graham Coughlan with a 3-1 victory at home against Braintree.

Four days on from Coughlan’s appointment as successor to Ian Culverhouse, the Pilgrims went ahead in the first minute via Cameron Green’s strike.

Jacob Hazel doubled the advantage late in the first half and Frankie Maguire added a third just prior to the hour mark before Jermaine Francis replied for the visitors in the 71st minute.

Celebrating their first win in 12 National League games, second-bottom Boston cut the gap between themselves and safety to five points, with Braintree, a point above the drop zone, the team now occupying 20th spot.