Rendell 3                          Cole (pen) 90

 

Stevenage Borough gained a well deserved point at The Trade Recruitment Stadium on Sunday afternoon with a good performance and a last minute penalty. In an evenly balanced match, both sides provided an entertaining match and the sharing of the points was fair.

 

Stevenage had two changes to the team that had soundly beaten Rushden and Diamonds two days earlier. The front line of Steve Morison and Lee Boylan were deemed unfit for purpose and were replaced by Calum Willock and Eddie Anaclet with Mitchell Cole partnering Willock.

 

It was a dismal start for Stevenage, Scott Rendell, in his last game for the club before going back to Peterborough, put the home side ahead. Dan Gleeson fired in a low shot from the edge of the area, Rendell got in front of his marker and turned the ball into the net.

 

The home fans thought they had doubled their lead soon after when Chris Day saved well from Rendell’s effort, and Chris Holroyd poked the rebound into the net. The keen eye would have spotted the assistant referee with his flag up though, and the goal was disallowed.

 

Borough were by no means dominated though, and they matched United in all but goals. Willock could have levelled the game when Cole sent him through but ex-Borough favourite Danny Potter denied him with a good low save.

 

After Holroyd had used his skill to get past Michael Bostwick, resulting in a yellow card for the midfielder, Wayne Hatswell took the free kick and his shot went inches past the post.

 

David Bridges also had a good opportunity to bring the game level but failed to control the ball in the area before eventually unleashing a shot that was turned wide by Potter.

 

The second half was equally as entertaining and Borough came close early on with a good free kick from Andy Drury which seemed to be saved by Potter, but no corner was given.

 

Calum Willock was unable to find the target from an acute angle following Cole’s cross while at the other end, Day kept Borough in the game with a marvellous save from Holroyd after Mark Albrighton slipped.

 

Borough had worked their socks off throughout the game and they got their just reward in injury time. David Bridges burst into the area and was felled by Gleeson; the referee had no problems in pointing to the spot. Gleeson saw red for foul and abusive language, while Captain Cole placed the ball and held his nerve to send the fans into raptures.

 

It was a deserved result for Borough and after a good finish to 2008, they will look to begin the new year in a similar fashion.

 

Stevenage Borough (4-4-2) C Day – R Henry, M Albrighton, M Roberts, S Laird – A Drury (Sub: P Vincenti, 86), D Bridges, M Bostwick, E Anaclet (Sub: J Anderson, 63) – C Willock, M Cole. Substitutes Not Used: A Bayes, L Oliver, G Mills. Booked: Bostwick, Bridges

Attendance: 3351 (406 away)