It proved to be a Good Friday for Steve Evans as his Stevenage side pulled three points away from relegation - read Owen Rodbard's match report from the Lamex.

Stevenage recorded back to back wins for the first time since August as they beat Rochdale 1-0 in a hard fought battle at The Lamex on Friday, writes Owen Rodbard.

A Scott Cuthbert header just after half time was enough for the victory as Boro survived a late onslaught to take the three points.

Evans made one forced change from last week's victory over Colchester with Bruno Andrade replacing the suspended Luke Norris.

Boro started the brighter team. A foul on the edge of the Dale box resulted in a Ben Coker free kick heading into the bottom corner but forcing a smart stop from Jay Lynch in goal.

Rochdale replied later with a strong spell of possession around the Boro box, before a Chapman header fell high and wide of the right hand post. 

Boro had a few half chances with loose balls on the edge of the box, Jake Taylor and Michael Bostwick missing the mark.

Just before half time, Luther Wildin fizzed a ball across the box, which was begging for a goal bound touch, but to no avail.

Evans went into half time the happier of the managers, but without that much needed goal.

The second half started ideally for Boro. An Arthur Read corner was looped into the box and Scott Cuthbert rose highest to plant the ball into the bottom right corner.

A sense of relief hit The Lamex and with other results going their way, they started to play some nice football. Half chances fell to James Daly and Arthur Read but with no end result.

Dale made some late changes which turned the screw, but some resolute defending from the Boro backline kept the score at 1-0 to record Boro's first back-to-back wins since August.

The result sees Boro climb out of the relegation places, and they face just relegated Scunthorpe on Easter Monday.

Read Stevenage FC writer Owen Rodbard exclusively at Nub News