This time last year Stevenage were struggling and facing the all-too real prospect of relegation back to non-league football.

Enter Steve Evans to secure the club's League Two status by boosting the club from top to bottom with his ethos of good old honest hard work.

Fast forward 12 months and Boro are nestled in second spot, two points clear of this weekend's opponents, Carlisle.

Read Stevenage writer and Boro fan Owen Rodbard as he looks towards the big clash at Brunton Park on Saturday afternoon.

From relegation six-pointers to promotion-challenging clashes: Three Things Stevenage need to take on board as tough trip to Carlisle looms

Can't afford to falter

We were having relegation six pointers last season, now we're competing at the top, and Saturday could be the biggest game of our season to date.

Beating the teams around us has been a struggle at times this season, and with recent form this is going to be a big test.

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The win midweek was crucial - late goals are so important

The three points in midweek against Crewe were crucial. All that time wasting and gamesmanship came back to bite them as Jamie Reid's strike nestled into the far corner.

That confident boost could be pivotal as we enter a tough run of games which will test our automatic promotion credentials.

Teams around us will start picking up points

All teams around us this weekend have winnable games. With Northampton Bradford and Stockport all playing teams in the bottom half, they will be expecting to pick up three points.

The pressure could really start mounting if we don't at least draw tomorrow.