Stevenage 1-0 Rochdale: Steve Evans' Boro win again to go fourth in League Two

While the scoreline was tight, the result did not flatter Boro, who dominated Robbie Stockdale's side throughout the match at a rainy Lamex.

Carl Piergianni's first-half header was enough for Steve Evans Stevenage to beat 1-0 Rochdale at Broadhall Way on Tuesday evening.

While the result left visitors Rochdale rock bottom of the fourth tier without a point, Evans' buoyant side continued their unbeaten run while easing into the heady heights of fourth spot.

However, the Boro boss is steadfastly refusing to get carried away, as he reflected after the match: "We'll continue to work hard. We owe it to the chairman and to our supporters.

"In the dressing room after the game you could see the players were a bit frustrated that we didn't put it to bed earlier. Sometimes it'd be nice if we were 3-0 ahead with 15 minutes to go and we could enjoy it...we were so far superior.

"We won 1-0. We got three points. "

Evans admitted his side should and could have won by more - but it is a reflection of just how far his Boro side have come, since the charismatic Scot was appointed as boss of a relegation-threatened side back in April.

Stevenage drew 2-2 at Spotland last November, prior to former captain Scott Cuthbert ensuring it proved to be a Good Friday back in April for Evans and his Stevenage side as they pulled three points away from the relegation zone in the return game.

This time around the hosts should have made more of their dominance, but a Danny Rose disallowed goal was the closest they came to a second.

When Evans was asked by Nub News what he ascribed his club's excellent start to the larger-than-life Boro boss explained: "Good players working to a plan. They're working incredibly hard. They're a good group. It takes a lot for players to go to Walsall and play as well as we did and get a point.

"I said to them at the start of the season: 'This isn't a preferred XI. I've 18 players and every one is capable of starting."

Evans celebrated with the players on the pitch at the end of the match that saw Boro ease into fifth place, in front of a crowd of 2,720 which only included 170 away fans.

The tough Scot added: "The fans responded tonight, we've had a good start to the season and had some late wins.

"People in the town have been talking about us. If you're a town like Stevenage you need a team that's doing well to encourage supporters to come out on a Tuesday night and spend their hard-earned money.

"If we can encourage a few from watching boring football in the Premier League while paying eight times the amount then that's great.

"What we're saying is that if you're a Stevenage person in and around the town and surrounding places come and support us. We're not asking you to take away your love for Arsenal or whoever - we're asking you to come down and come and help us - and we'll try and entertain you."

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Picture credit for main photo: George Bigley/Nub News