Peterborough United 0-1 Stevenage: Alex Revell ‘proud’ as Boro soar to summit with Jamie Reid penalty

Jamie Reid’s penalty sent Stevenage top of League One, with Alex Revell saying he was “proud” of his side’s grit in a hard-earned 1-0 win over Peterborough United at the Weston Homes Stadium.

The Boro had not won in their previous four league games but leapfrogged five teams in the table to go one point clear at the summit as they inflicted Posh’s first defeat under Luke Williams.

Revell was delighted for everyone associated with the club as his side are now one point clear of second-placed Cardiff City.

English football’s third tier remains incredibly open this season, emphasised by the fact that Boro started the night sixth in the table and without a win in four league games.

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Proud

Afterwards, the 42-year-old said: “Really top performance, especially first half.

“We created good opportunities, we defended brilliantly as a team and second half, you’re away from home against a team that have just won four on the spin, so we had to make sure we dealt with that.

“We still had, for me, the better chances in the second half, which we don’t quite take to go 2-0 up.

“But I’m so proud of this group, so proud of the staff because the staff have worked incredibly hard to make sure this shape and the information and everything got through to the players and the players have taken it on board.

“I’m so proud of what we have and, again, the fans kept driving us on. We’re delighted for everybody.

“You can’t ask for anything more in terms of the result – it’s always on the result but the way they performed in that shape and worked for each other.”

Match action

The first half was a scrappy affair, although Dan Kemp threatened early on for Stevenage with a low effort that was held by Peterborough goalkeeper Alex Bass.

Stevenage were then awarded a penalty in the 21st minute when Tom O’Connor handled Dan Sweeney’s header from Kemp’s free-kick and Reid sent Bass the wrong way from the spot.

Peterborough improved after half-time, with Harley Mills shooting wide of the near post after a driving run into the penalty area.

The hosts were convinced they should have had a spot-kick of their own after 57 minutes when the ball appeared to come off Daniel Phillips’ hand, but referee Edward Duckworth was unmoved.

Strange

On the incident, Williams said: “It seemed strange because it seemed quite clear, but I’ve not got the best view in the house, so I respect the referee.

“The players felt [hard done by] for sure, but like I said, the referee has to make the big call and he’s got a good view, I guess, so I have to respect that.

“There were simple actions they got flustered with and misplaced passes, misplaced touches, because they were out of sorts and thrown off stride by the opposition.

“They have to focus on things better and not be overwhelmed by the energy and the aggression of the other team. It’s something you just have to cope with.

“We’ve had the recent form we’ve had and scored a lot of goals, so don’t be surprised if the opposition turn up with a different game plan – it’s the first time they’ve played with a back five, Stevenage.”

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