Match report: Stevenage 0 Carlisle United 1

Sky Bet League Two

Tom Miller’s bundled-home winner eight minutes from time consigned Stevenage to a fourth straight defeat.

The defender poked home from a Danny Grainger corner after Boro goalkeeper Jesse Joronen failed to get enough distance while punching under pressure, and in doing so gifted his side all three points.

Stevenage will be left frustrated after conceding from another set piece after letting two in against Mansfield Town on Tuesday evening.

But they had earlier been handed the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot after Brett Williams had been brought down in the box.

Yet after the striker had persuaded Tom Conlon that it was he who should take responsibility for it, he fired his shot against the legs of Mark Gillespie.

It was the striker’s second penalty miss of the season after failing to score from the spot against York City just last month.

It was also a wretched way for the game to end for a Stevenage side who, although still lacking a cutting edge, matched their opponents for much of the game.

But it is in the ‘goals for’ column that they remain lacking; despite bringing in Jamar Loza for his first start for the club following his arrival on loan from Norwich City last week, they failed to score for the third consecutive game.

With Tom Hitchcock an unused substitute, Boro brought on Dipo Akinyemi late in the game meaning that, with Ben Kennedy pushed further forward from midfield, they had two 18-year-olds leading the line.

And although both are talented, of that there is little doubt, they were unable to make the breakthrough. Even with the added support of centre-back-cum-striker Jamie McCombe who was brought on up front with four minutes to go in a bid to cause disruption and get flick-ons.

Boro did have chances – Tom Conlon was denied by Gillespie in the first half while Loza saw his shot saved in the second – but so too did the visitors, who used width in the first period as Boro’s wide midfielders, Conlon and Kennedy, came inside looking for the ball.

Twice in the match Derek Asamoah went close, but on both occasions he missed the target; first with a shot after being set up by Antony Sweeney, and then with his head.

In the second period Stevenage kept their shape better with Kennedy sticking to the right touchline before Chris Whelpdale’s introduction saw him moved up front.

Boro saw more of the ball, but they failed to turn it into chances.

And with 10 minutes to go Grainger’s corner came in and Joronen was unable to get any purchase with his fists, allowing Miller to poke home the winner.

Stevenage: Joronen, Henry, Ogilvie, Hughes, Wells, Conlon, Kennedy, Schumacher, Parrett (Mccombe 86), Loza (Whelpdale 65), Williams (Akinyemi 74). Subs: Day, Franks, Hitchcock, Jebb.

Carlisle Utd: Gillespie, Miller, Miller, Grainger, Joyce, Raynes, J Kennedy, Sweeney (Gilliead 60), Dicker (Archibald-Henville 65), Asamoah, Gillsephey, McQueen (Hery 74). Subs: Hanford, Atkinson, Rigg, Thompson.

Ref: Andy Davies

Att: 2,999 (352 away)