Boro boss paraises his players for securing third away win on the bounce

GARY SMITH was impressed with his side’s resolve after Stevenage came back from a goal down to beat Coventry City on Sunday.

The Sky Blues raced out of the blocks from the first whistle at the Ricoh Arena, and had taken the lead after just 10 minutes through David McGoldrick’s fine strike. But Robin Shroot’s leveller against the run of play on 21 minutes enabled Boro to get themselves into the game, and after a better display after the break, substitute Marcus Haber’s winner 20 minutes from the end handed Smith’s side their third straight victory on the road.

“I thought Coventry started very well and could have been at least a couple up in the first 15 minutes,” Smith said. “We were on our heels and to be just one goal down after that period was a success for us given how we’d started.

“But from that point on we showed some good qualities and our first goal involved some good football that enabled us to get back into the game which was vital at that point.

“I thought we looked more solid and better without possession in the second period and we showed a great unity and created dangerous moments on the break. We looked more exciting and that was down to a better shape and more intensity in the middle third of the pitch.”

When asked if Coventry’s recent problems partly undermine Boro’s victory at the former Premier League club, Smith was quick to point out his team were worthy of the three points against a side he believes will still be pushing for promotion.

“Let’s make no mistake this was a big result for us. They are a big club who have a good team which I suspect will be in and around that play-off challenge at the end of the season,” Smith added.

“We’ve won a very competitive game so in no way did I underestimate them just because of a few off-the-field problems. They started the game as brightly as I’ve seen anyone this season, and they had some real exciting moments in the opening exchange.”