REDDITCH United slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Boston United on Saturday with manager Gary Whild again frustrated by not being able to opt for his first choice back-four.

Once again he was forced to rule out the experienced Matt Clarke and the presence of Exodus Geoghaghan and the cracks were apparent as early as the fourth minute in this one-sided encounter.

Shane Healy was once again a solid deputy for Clarke until he was withdrawn at half-time and if the youngster continues to develop at this rate, then Clarke's absence may not be quite so hard-hitting.

The hole left by Geoghaghan is proving much harder to fill though with both Ashley Walker and Damian Whitcombe pairing up with skipper Simon Rea at the heart of the Reds defence.

The early exchanges were even enough, Rea missing with a header from Jai Stanley's corner at one end before Walker's first error allowed in Jon Froggatt at the other end only for Rob Taylor to race back and block.

Poor communication between Walker and Danny Lewis almost led to a second Boston chance but once again Taylor was on hand to tidy up effectively.

The afternoon continued to go downhill for Walker when he was grateful to see a sliced clearance fly straight into his goalkeeper's arms.

A minute before the break David Galbraith broke away down the Boston right and crossed for Froggatt, whose deft touch beat Lewis but came back off the post. The reprieve was short-lived though, as the home side assumed total control from the restart.

Five minutes into the half Froggatt turned Taylor inside out before crossing to the back post where Galbraith was waiting to plant a firm header into the net.

As the hour mark approached, Jon Stevenson doubled the Pilgrims' lead when he beat Lewis at his near post with a low shot following a quick exchange of passes from a throw-in.

Boston notched a deserved third 11 minutes from time when Ashley Nicholls chipped a pass over the static Redditch defence. Froggatt collected and beat the advancing Lewis with a cool finish.

Only in the last six minutes was Boston keeper Chris Wright called into action, saving from Richard Ball's header and substitute Damian Markman's fierce drive.

Boston: Wright 7, Matthews 6, Bloomer 6, Ellender 6, Crane 6, Talbot 6, O'Halloran 7, Nicholls 7, Froggatt 7 (Thompson 82), STEVENSON 8 (Leabon 67, 6), Galbraith 8 (Quistin 78). Subs (not used): Green, Medine.

Reds: Lewis 6, Healy 7 (Whitcombe 46, 5), TAYLOR 7, Rea 5, Walker 4, Stanley 5, Cowley 5 (Murphy 28, 5), Softley 5, Ball 5, Johnson 5 (Markman 62, 6), Forinton 5. Subs (not used): Anstiss, Dickinson.

Referee: S Cooke (Mansfield) 5.