Coughlan's side never looked back after taking the lead through Green inside 44 seconds. Hazel and Maguire added further goals, with Town sub Jermaine Francis scoring a consolation for the visitors.

United's dream start unfolded with Sam Osborne driving crossfield before teeing up GREEN to blast a powerful shot goalwards which visiting keeper Lucas Covolan could only help into the net.

Derby County loanee Lennon Wheeldon, making his United debut, did well to win back possession and surge through - but could only stab wide as a maiden goal seemingly beckoned.

The Pilgrims doubled their advantage two minutes before half-time when HAZEL let fly with a speculative effort from distance, which somehow evaded the grasp of Covolan to leave the Braintree stopper red-faced.

Aidan Stone produced an excellent save with his legs three minutes after half-time to thwart Chay Cooper, while Hazel crashed a shot off target after meeting a Green cross from the left.

United did add their third goal in the 57th minute when Hazel pulled the ball back from the right for MAGUIRE to shimmy back infield and plant a low drive beyond Covolan's reach.

Braintree threw caution to the wind and reduced the deficit with 19 minutes to play, with substitute FRANCIS stooping to head home Ryan Clampin's cross from the left.

Stone subsequently excelled to keep out an Inih Effiong downward header, while Francis rattled the United crossbar with another header that bounced kindly to safety for the Pilgrims.

In stoppage time, Covolan saved well from Jai Rowe, before Keaton Ward's follow-up was cleared off the line and Green crashed the rebound too high, but United's mission was successfully completed.

Boston (4-4-2): Aidan Stone; Jai Rowe, Michael Bostwick, Zak Mills, Cameron Green; Sam Osborne (Tom Leak 78), Jordan Richards, Dylan Hill, Frankie Maguire (Keaton Ward 83); Jacob Hazel, Lennon Wheeldon (Pemi Aderoju 69). Subs (not used): Kieran Coates, Adam Marriott, Billy Chadwick, Jake Lovelace (gk).

Braintree (4-3-3): Lucas Covolan; Rio Davidson-Phipps (Jermaine Francis 46), Louie Annesley, George Langston, Ryan Clampin; Tom Blackwell (Matt Robinson 75), James Vennings, Frankie Terry; Marley Marshall-Miranda (Kyrell Lisbie 75), Inih Effiong, Chay Cooper (John Akinde 59). Sub (not used): Philip Haxthausen Nielsen (gk).

Referee: Garreth Rhodes.

Attendance: 1,688 (102 visitors).

PIC: Chris Bray.