Darren Sarll says he was left feeling frustrated after his first game in charge of Stevenage.

Boro’s caretaker boss was in the dugout this afternoon as his side played host to Crawley Town in League Two, but a Matt Harrold goal just before half-time gave the visiting Red Devils all three points.

Stevenage remain eight points clear of the relegation zone, though all the teams below them have games in hand including Hartlepool United who are up next (away) for Sarll and his men on Tuesday.

“No fairytale ending unfortunately. The game was frustrating as a whole,” Sarll said.

“I thought first half we were very comfortable. The goal was one of the only efforts they had on target. I thought we were quite solid.

“I thought maybe we could have opened up a bit more and had more of go at goal offensively. I was content for 30-odd minutes and then to concede the goal before half-time just changes the complexion of things.

“The second half was nowhere near the standard we need to attain. We need to improve; the club needs to improve, the team needs to improve.

“I think it will take a bit of time. I can’t question their effort. Charlie Lee in particular. I thought his effort, desire, hunger and aggression were terrific. We have got to make improvements ahead of Tuesday and we’ll do our best to do that.”

Sarll made five changes to the side that lost at York City the previous weekend, and afterwards he added: “I thought young Dale [Gorman] handled himself very well.

“I know exactly what he’s about. He brought that side to his game. I think he’s still got a lot of improvement to do, he’s still a young player, but for his development he was great.

“He drove forward with particular aggression in the first half in terms of trying to regain [the ball] high [up the pitch].

“Likewise Pat Hoban [on loan from Oxford United] did his absolute best to muscle three imposing centre-halves. I thought all the new ones acquitted themselves.

“We need time on training pitch to embed them and deliver a strategy and to find that winning mechanic with the group.”