Gary Smith. Photo: Kevin Coleman.

Stevenage manager delighted as point at Sheffield United keeps Boro in pole position for play-offs

Stevenage manager Gary Smith says his team picked up ‘an outstanding point’ at Sheffield United on Saturday, a draw which leaves Boro’s play-off hopes in their own hands.

Goals from Joel Byrom and Scott Laird put Stevenage ahead at Bramall Lane before Richard Cresswell and Matt Lowton pulled the Blades back level, and speaking after the game Smith said he would have jumped at the chance of a point before the game.

“At the start of the day we’d have absolutely bitten your hand off for a point to keep everything in our control. The way the results went we had to get something,” Smith said.

“Of course at 2-0 you should look at it and say you should be winning this game, but this is a bloody good side. They have got so many options up front, even though they are missing a couple of guys and their top goalscorer.

“You see the difference the guys who came on made. They changed the dimension of their attack, they’re physically very capable, and they finished the game in a barnstorming way. And to get a point out of this, on this occasion, it’s an absolutely outstanding point for us.

“I thought the guys for an hour were absolutely outstanding. We controlled large portions of the first half, deservedly went in a goal up.

“Second period started off in much the same fashion, good early goal, and we really should have got a third after their opening goal and I think that would have really put the game to bed then.

“Robin [Shroot] makes a wrong choice, he should finish first time and he takes a touch, but there were some really, really good performances.”

With Carlisle United and Notts County both picking up a maximum three points on Saturday, Boro’s draw against United means a win against Bury this coming weekend will guarantee them a play-off place against either United or Sheffield Wednesday.

“At the start of the day one or two things went against us,” Smith said.

“I think Notts County scored in the final moments to put us under pressure. We had to get something and we did and now we’re back in charge, and that’s all we ever wanted leaving here.

“We’ve been able to get through it, get that point and be in a good position for ourselves next weekend.

“We’ve got to win a game of football next weekend and if we do, we’re in the top six.”