Match report: Stevenage FC 1-0 Crystal Palace XI

"Where's Patrick Vieira?" was the question on everyone's lips before kick-off at the Lamex, and our efforts to spot the Arsenal legend and now Palace manager came to no avail - he either decided to give this one a miss or was expertly hidden away in the stands.

New signings James Daly and Jamie Reid led the line for Stevenage, with no place for Harry Draper, the scorer of both Boro's pre-season goals so far this summer.

A mainly U23s Palace side were forced to soak up the pressure in front of a good following of Eagles fans, who quickly became dismayed as centre-back Jake O'Brien was shown red for a last-man challenge on Jamie Reid, who hit his free-kick straight at Remi Matthews.

A harsh call in pre-season, or simply applying the laws correctly? Speaking to Nub News after the match Boro winger Elliot Osborne believed the referee was left with no choice but to brandish the red card, and Palace were forced to seek a change of shape after just nine minutes, with strong tackles coming in from either side throughout the game, much to the delight of the Stevenage faithful.

Both Reid and James-Wildin had efforts saved as Stevenage tried to capitalise on the man advantage; one of the benefits of playing a different side in each half is certainly the fact that the players worry less about fitness and conserving energy, especially with trialists and fringe players looking to impress before the new League Two season.

West Ham loanee Joseph Anang enjoyed a very routine ninety minutes, whereas the two Palace keepers enjoyed excellent performances, frequently called into action by Stevenage's front two.

Stevenage started the second half as they finished the first, but it took fifteen minutes for the first major chance on goal, Jamie Reid once again finding his powerful shot saved and then going on to hit a good chance over the crossbar.

Boss Alex Revell then looked to the bench, bringing on seven players including skipper Scott Cuthbert and Terence Vancooten.

One of these subs was January signing Chris Lines, who struck the crossbar with an excellent free-kick that curled and dipped in the wind. Stevenage finally broke through with fourteen minutes to go, courtesy of Trialist Four in a penalty box scramble, perhaps fitting that after all of Reid and Daly's efforts it was a trialist substitute who grabbed the only goal of the night. Palace continued to defend and had little way of escape from a Boro bombardement, forced into a low defensive block throughout the second half, with a certain French World Cup winner awaiting news from the Lamex.