LUCAS Akins hailed the impact of team-mate Marcus Haber after Tuesday night’s victory over Yeovil.

The Canadian striker was initially rested for the trip to Huish Park, with the returning Patrick Agyemang earning a sport in Gary Smith’s starting line-up. But his introduction at half-time gave Boro a much needed new dimension after the break, and Akins, who scored Boro’s second goal on the night after great work from Haber, believes his input was a major factor in allowing his team to leave Somerset with all three points following a below-par first half display.

“The first half we got the goal and that was our plan to start quickly but we then found ourselves on the back foot and conceded the equaliser,” Akins told the Comet. “But we managed to dig in and come in at half time 1-1 which was a positive because Yeovil played well in the first half.

“We just regrouped at half time and the manager just basically told us what a good team we are and just to go out there and have that belief. The introduction of Marcus Haber changed the game to be honest. I thought he was absolutely outstanding.

“We’ve got a really strong squad and to have players like him come off the bench gives the team a great boost. Patrick Agyemang put in a shift in the first half in his first match back from injury but Haber really did change the game and was a constant menace to Yeovil and was the catalyst for our victory in the second half as we went from strength to strength.

“They couldn’t live with him and when he plays like that I don’t think any team in this league would be able to deal with him.”

Boro were in danger of entering an unwanted slump in form after back-to-back defeats against Swindon Town and Rotherham in the FA Cup on Saturday. But not for the first time this season, Smith’s side found the resolve when it was needed most to haul themselves to victory, despite Yeovil dominating the first half.

“We’ve got good character in the team and we’re going to have disappointing moments and testing times throughout the season – and the gaffer has said that. But he has also told us to show everyone what we are made of and bounce back and we did that tonight.

“It is great going into a tough little period with three tough games but why can’t we go on and hopefully get something from all three of them.

“We had a couple of defeats on the bounce and the morale and a couple of things could have been questioned. But let’s not lose sight of the fact that we are joint top of the league because it’s a fantastic achievement for this group of players. If we can keep plugging away and getting good results then who knows what can happen.”