Sutton United 0-0 Stevenage: Boro lose 4-3 on penalties to exit the Papa John's Trophy.

Paul Tisdale's first match overseeing Stevenage ended in dramatic defeat, with Boro losing a penalty shootout in front of 770 fans at Gander Green Lane on Tuesday evening.

Elliot List and Luther James Wildin were the players who missed from the spot, as Boro were knocked out of the Papa John's Trophy round of 32 as hopes of a Wembley cup run were dashed.

While stand-in Robbie O'Keefe marshalled the team during the match, Tisdale's first match at the club saw the former Exeter City boss make eight changes from Boro's previous game, the 2-2 draw at Rochdale last week.

While the fixture at Spotland proved to be loyal servant O'Keefe's last league match at the helm, the caretaker manager still bossed the team from the sidelines at Sutton, it was more than likely the changes Tisdale instructed him to make on Tuesday evening were more to do with the fact it was a Papa John's Trophy clash, rather than the more serious business of a League Two match.

Speaking to Nub News at his unveiling on Monday, Tisdale did admit that he was uncertain of the team he would opt for in south London, preferring to use the game as a launching pad for his managerial career with Boro.

Tisdale opted for a diamond formation with Bradley Barry and Max Melbourne full-backs instructed to push on when the opportunity allowed.

After a largely shapeless opening, one of Tisdale's picks, the experienced Chris Lines' fired a corner into the box on 23 minutes, which Ross Marshall stabbed over the bar of Sutton reserve keeper Brad House, who was making a rare first team start.

Sutton's Richie Bennett tested Boro keeper Joseph Anang with a low shot that the West Ham U23 loanee gathered safely.

Shortly before half time, Lines found his way into referee Sam Purkiss' book, along with Terrence Vancooten - who was handed his yellow card after bringing down Sutton attacker Donovan Wilson.

Tisdale opted to partner Vancooten with Marshall in the heart of defence, with Scott Cuthbert not making the trip.

Despite losing 4-3 to Spurs U21 side back in August in their first group stage match, Stevenage ensured they reached the knock-out stages after beating a young Cambridge United side 1-0, in former boss Alex Revell's second from last game in charge.

Following feedback from the lower league clubs remaining in this season's Papa John's Trophy, including Stevenage, the EFL confirmed clubs are now permitted to make five substitutions from the seven they nominate for the remainder of the competition.

As it was, neither side made a single change at the interval, as both sides aimed to progress with their starting XI's.

However, in an early clash of heads between Ben Wyatt and Boro's Melbourne, resulted in the former walking off gingerly to be replaced with the first substitute of the evening in Rob Milson.

Moments after the change, Arthur Read fired in a low shot that House saved. Boro's No9 Luke Norris tested the Sutton keeper shortly afterwards as Tisdale's team upped the tempo.

Stevenage's new boss made a double substitution just after the hour mark, when Jamie Reid and Elliot Osbourne swapped with James Daly and Jack Smith.

In a move made surely with one eye on a possible penalty shoot-out, Sutton manager Matt Gray decided to throw on first choice keeper Dean Bouzanis, who replaced House with 22 minutes remaining.

Star striker Omar Bugiel also came on, changing with Bennett.

Tisdale responded by making a triple substitution, by bringing on Stevenage top scorer Elliot List, Luther James Wildin, and Jake Reeves to replaced Read, Barry and Lines respectively, with 15 minutes remaining.

Wildin nearly lobbed Bouzanis from the edge of the area, with five minutes remaining, but the Sutton keeper adjusted his position to tip over, following good work down the flank by the lively List.

Reid could have sealed a victory when Norris fed him in the box, but his header went wide. There was just time for Sutton captain and former Arsenal academy midfielder Craig Eastmond was booked for a late altercation with List.

That was before Boro's cruel exit on spot-kicks after its missed his spot-kick that would have put Tisdale's side through.

Tisdale's Stevenage are now on FA Cup duty this weekend, as they travel to Yeovil on Saturday to take on former Boro boss Darren Sarll's National League side in a their second round clash, which will be televised on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

With Boro easing past League One side Milton Keynes on penalties after their nailbiting first round replay, following a 2-2 draw, hopes are high Tisdale's team can emerge triumphant from Yeovil, after landing a coveted place in the third round.

Nub News will be at the televised clash at Huish Park on Saturday. Read our website for the latest on Stevenage FC.

Penalties

Sutton United:

Eastmond x

Milsom x

Olaofe 0

Reeves x

List 0

Osborne 0

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