In-form striker remains upbeat despite Saturday’s late collapse

STRIKER Byron Harrison says Boro are still focused on mounting a play-off charge despite Saturday’s dramatic collapse against Accrington Stanley.

The 23-year-old was disappointed not to be on the winning side after giving Stevenage a seventh minute lead before Lawrie Wilson’s 78th minute strike had looked like sealing an important victory.

However, two goals in the final two minutes meant Boro had to settle for point in what was a disastrous end to the match – and one which will have many doubting their play-off credentials going into the latter stages of the season.

“We all know we can play a lot better and, from a personal point of view, I would like to have a bigger influence on the game,” said a dejected Harrison after the match.

“I scored but I would have liked to have played better to help the team more so we could have held onto the lead.

“It does knock confidence immediately (after the game) but we’ll be back ready for Tuesday’s game hoping to put Saturday’s wrongs right. We have high ambitions, although that doesn’t really involve us dropping too many points at home, but Accrington did very well and nobody could deny them a point.

“We’ve got to push on and hopefully pick up those points now on the road and yes, we are pushing for promotion.”

The former Carshalton Athletic man has certainly laid down a marker in recent weeks after failing to make an appearance between New Year’s Day and the match against Morecambe on January 22.

But despite demonstrating his exciting potential in a Boro shirt, Harrison says he isn’t getting carried away and acknowledges he may not feature in every game between now and the end of the season.

“I didn’t anticipate anything,” recalled Harrison on his thoughts prior to joining Boro.

“I just told myself to work hard and see what happens but today (Saturday) didn’t go as smoothly as I’d have liked.

“The manager looks at it from game to game and everyone has to understand that every team is different and will require different players to play and I’ve just got to look to play any part that he gives me.”