BEING generous, this game was a contest for half an hour.

From the moment Brad Bauress curved a free kick in off an upright, sparking his side’s reply to conceding twice in the first six minutes, Witton Albion were dominant.

They had added three more goals by the break, mercilessly exposing Boston United’s calamitous shortcomings in defence.

These teams are separated by two divisions this season, remember, but such was the home side’s superiority that there is probably some value in betting on both clubs being league rivals before long.

While the Pilgrims ponder the likelihood the remainder of their campaign will be focused on avoiding relegation, Carl Macauley’s side can afford to get giddy about hosting neighbours Chester in the first round on Saturday.

The club has not reached that stage in a decade.

Whether we are witnessing the emergence of another great Albion team remains to be seen.

They have beaten three higher-ranked foes – Buxton, Kettering and now Boston – in one-off games this term, and appear to have the quality to challenge Shaw Lane, everybody’s favourites, for the Northern Premier League’s Division One South title.

Their latest success is even more impressive considering that captain Anthony Gardner, midfield lynchpin Paul Williams and in-form striker Steven Tames were all watching from the stand.

And yet their FA Trophy story provided a plot twist when Boston took the lead.

Joe Maguire, stretching, made a sweet connection with Taylor Miles’ corner in the fourth minute.

When Marcus Marshall, who timed a run into the penalty area, steered in a second shortly afterwards, Witton looked shell-shocked.

They were overran in midfield, apparently unnerved by visitors playing them at their own game.

Bauress’ set piece, placed perfectly out of the reach of goalkeeper Michael Emery, changed everything.

He provided a cross that Rob Hopley diverted into the bottom corner with a thumping header five minutes later.

In response, Boston’s players visibly wilted.

The goal of the game, aptly, put Witton out in front for the first time.

Karl Noon waited just long enough to release a pass into Tom Owens’ path, and he did not break stride before rifling a rising shot in off the crossbar.

The former Marine man was not finished, and he drilled with power past Emery in added time after Boston’s flimsy back-line had inexplicably allowed a long ball forward to bounce.

Tolani Omotola was first to react, nudging it into his teammate’s direction.

The second half was a contrast to the pulsating nature of the previous 45 minutes, although Ben Clappison might have made it more uncomfortable for Albion had he not headed wide from Marshall’s cross.

Instead Danny Roberts, the home team’s goalkeeper, barely dirtied his gloves.

Chester boss Jon McCarthy, watching from the main stand, may just have raised an eyebrow.

Witton | 4-4-2 | Roberts (GK), Lycett, Anthony Brown, Wilson, Devine, Owens, Haywood, Noon, Bauress, Hopley, Omotola (Hickman 90) Subs not used Adigun, Eves, Garner (GK) Goals Bauress 20, Hopley 25, Owens 38, 45 (+1) Booked Noon (kicking ball away)

Boston | 4-4-2 | Emery (GK), Clappison, Josh Robinson, Joe Robinson (Vince 54), Gordon (Hilliard 74), Rollins, Maguire, Marshall (Chippendale 67), Miles, Fairhurst, Smith Subs not used Wildin, Payne (GK) Goals Maguire 4, Marshall 6 Booked Maguire (foul)

Referee David Underwood

Attendance 194