Title-chasing Boston Town chalked up their seventh successive win to keep the pressure on the league leaders in a tight title race.
A game played on an artificial pitch in difficult, windy conditions was in the balance until just before half-time when Harry Limb broke the deadlock for the visitors.
Two more goals in a dominant second half put the Poachers in the driving seat, and at the final whistle they were top of the table – only for news to filter through that Sherwood Colliery had pulled off a 2-1 victory in their fixture with a winning goal deep in injury time.
Newark Town, themselves fighting for a place in the promotion play-offs, made the early running and could have taken the lead in the very first minute when Harry Allcock blazed a good chance over the bar.
But from then on the home side created precious few chances, and they were grateful to ex-Boston and England U21 keeper Scott Loach for a couple of fine saves.
Harry Limb was looking a constant threat on the right for the Poachers and it was only fitting that he should grab the all-important first goal.
Bruno Andrade released him with a pass over the top on 38 minutes and Limb held off the defender’s challenge before drilling home his 15th goal of the season [check] through Loach’s legs.
Boston’s dominance grew after the interval: Layton Maddison and Jordan Tate controlled midfield and new signing Andrade showed flashes of his undoubted talent on the left wing.
Ten minutes into the second half the Poachers made use of the gusty conditions when Andrade hoisted a corner kick in from the left. Loach lost the ball in the wind and centre half Luke Wilson made sure by nodding home from point blank range.
Boston sealed the win with a third goal when Limb tricked his way to the byeline on the right and squared for Andrade to tap home from close range.
It meant Andrade has now scored two goals and provided two assists in his first two games in Poachers colours.
Newark pulled a goal back when the visiting defence failed to clear the ball and Oscar Marshall bundled home from close range in the final minute of his home debut.
Had they kept a clean sheet the Poachers would have gone top of the league – at least until Easter Monday. Level on points and with the same goal difference as Sherwood Colliery, they stay second on goals scored with just two games to play.
Boston Town: Portas, Ging, Smith, Tate, Ford, Wilson, Andrade (Priestley 89’), Maddison (Archer 89’), Munton (Bayliss 76’), Limb (Gibbons 85’), Cotton (Nuttell 89’).
Pic: Joshua Hallam
Words: Jez Ashberry
