Stevenage winger says Boro are ‘hurting’ following Saturday’s defeat but are ‘desperate’ to beat Coventry on Wednesday

Lucas Akins says league points will come above personal glory as he looks to help Stevenage avoid relegation this season.

The winger scored from the penalty spot to put his side 2-0 up on Saturday only for MK Dons to come back to win the game with three goals in the last 15 minutes of the match leaving Boro second from bottom in League 1.

Akins’ goal took his tally to five for the season – five fewer than in last season’s campaign – and although it was a classy finish from the spot from the former Tranmere Rovers man, the 25-year-old says individual goals count for nothing if the team is not winning.

“Any of the lads will tell you that there’s no point in scoring in defeat as it doesn’t count for anything,” Akins said.

“Hopefully I can continue contributing with assists and goals that helps us to get out of the predicament we find ourselves in.

“In the run in I’d rather not score and go unbeaten and get points on the board than score and lose games.

“It’s hard to take; the manner of the defeat is probably the worst way to lose but now it’s time to draw a line under the second half and go against Coventry.”

There are 11 League 1 matches this evening (Tuesday) and the worst case scenario for Boro will be victories for the teams just above the relegation zone – Tranmere Rovers and Crewe Alexandra – which would see Boro five points from safety as they go into Wednesday’s match against the sky Blues.

“We are hurting right now,” says Akins. “We now have to just get back to it and Wednesday is a crucial game for us.

“We’ve got to take all games as they come. Coventry are a good side, they might not be winning but I’m sure they will be desperate for a win just like we are.

“We are a bit like a wounded animal so hopefully we will go out there and show how far we’ve come from when we’ve dealt with situations like this before.”