League One: Stevenage 1-0 Blackpool - Attendance 5,014 (including 780 away fans)

An 85th minute winner by substitute Jake Forster-Caskey sealed all three points for Stevenage after the League One clash appeared to be heading for a goalless draw.

The late goal ensured Steve Evans side moved into the coveted play-off places, leapfrogging Oxford into sixth spot.

Prior to kick-off there was a moving tribute paid to tragic Boro fans Ollie Gatfield and Liam Sharpe. Ollie sadly lost his life in a car accident on the way back from supporting Stevenage at a game last month, while pal Liam is still currently in hospital with injuries sustained in the fatal incident.

Liam's sisters Sophie and Holly Sharpe showed courage to deliver their speech on the pitch in front of both sets of fans - who, along with club PA jay Drackford, rallied to show their support when the pair faltered with grief.

There was also a minute's applause in the 19th minute to mark the tragic death of 19-year-old Stevenage supporter Ollie, who sadly died in a crash on the A602 Parkway in Hitchin, on his way back from Boro's victory at Shrewsbury last month.

Stevenage 1-0 Blackpool (Jake Forster-Caskey '85)

Seventh played eighth at Broadhall Way on Saturday afternoon, with Steve Evans' Boro aiming to leapfrog Oxford United and into the play-off spots, with the U's sitting one place above, following their 1-1 draw against Reading in the early kick-off.

The clash was Stevenage's first home game of 2024, following four away matches, and a postponement.

Boro's 3-0 defeat against the Tangerines back in October was arguably Evans' side's worst performance of the season, with his side aiming to banish memories of the disappointing result.

However, both sides cancelled each other out in a first half full of endeavour, if somewhat lacking in quality during the opening 45 minutes.

In a rare moment of action, Boro's No10 Nick Freeman should have done better with his second half header following good work down the flank by Aaron Pressley, but Tangerines keeper Daniel Grimshaw gathered safety.

As the match appeared to be heading for a goalless draw as the clock ticked down, up stepped Forster-Caskey to fire home past Tangerines keeper Grimshaw to put Stevenage 1-0 - and secure a vital three points in their bid for promotion.

The late strike was also Boro's first ever goal against Blackpool and the first time they have won against their opponents from Bloomfield Road in four matches.

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