Mark Roberts says Boro are raring to go ahead of Saturday’s do-or-die clash with Bury

Mark Roberts says Stevenage are ready to make history as they host Bury this weekend where a win will guarantee Gary Smith’s men a League 1 play-off place.

Boro’s 2-2 draw at Sheffield United last weekend earned Roberts and his team-mates a point, and three more points this Saturday against mid-table Bury will see Stevenage take on either United or Sheffield Wednesday over two legs for a place in the play-off final at Wembley on May 26.

Speaking to the Comet ahead of the Bury clash, Roberts said that while other teams may be switching off now they have nothing more to play for this season Boro ‘feel more energised than ever’.

The Boro skipper knows that beating Bury will be a tough proposition. The Shakers won 4-2 at the home of Stevenage’s play-off rivals Notts County a fortnight ago while on the final game of last season they held Stevenage to a 3-3 draw at the Lamex.

“It was a topsy-turvy game last year,” Roberts said. “They needed a result to guarantee promotion and we were likewise to get into the play-offs. It was a surreal match. People might argue that they’ve got nothing to play for this weekend but the Notts County result shows they can cause a threat.

“You don’t want [this season] to stop. The season might be winding down for some players and some clubs, but it is not the case for us.

“We are feeling more energised than ever. We can’t imagine this season will finish on Saturday. We want to be a part of the play-offs and the final. We’re trying to create history.

“We’re hoping that the Lamex is full. We’ve seen good support this season at the games we’ve played and it gives us a massive boost on the pitch.”

Boro boss Gary Smith said going into the match against Sheffield United last weekend it was important that Stevenage put something on the board as other results had gone against them.

Stevenage led 2-0 in that game but were pegged back to 2-2. Afterwards Smith said his players would be satisfied with the result and added that he was pleased Boro’s play-off ambitions remained in the club’s own hands.

“We had to get something and we did and now we’re back in charge, and that’s all we ever wanted leaving here,” said Smith.