Chris Beardsley believes the togetherness of the Stevenage squad has boosted their chances throughout the season and hopes the momentum will carry them past Southend United to Wembley and League 2 promotion.

In mid-December, Boro languished in 15th place, nine points from the play-offs.

However, since then, Graham Westley’s side have lost just five times in 26 matches in a run that has seen them move to within three games from potential promotion and Beardsley thinks his side’s attitude in the face of adversity has been the key factor.

Beardsley said: “I think a major thing earlier on in the season was the injuries we had.

“It was highlighted quite early on the amount of personnel with a lot of game experience we were losing and I think as the season has gone on we have got players back and then, got them fit.

“From that, we have just tried to keep pushing each other along and getting fitter and stronger.

“We kept looking at ourselves and the areas that we can improve and I think if you can do that, you can build that momentum which we have.”

Their semi-final opponents Southend have themselves been in terrific form, beaten only twice since Stevenage scored a 4-2 victory over them almost three months ago.

The striker, who has notched four times this season, says Stevenage are going out to win when the two meet at the Lamex Stadium on Sunday night.

He continued: “Obviously we will be going out to win.

“We don’t know what is going to happen on Sunday but in the dressing room we are going out to win the game of football and concentrate on the game.

“We will try to work on our strengths and their weaknesses and that is our main focus; to be prepped and ready to go and make sure at 6.35pm Sunday, Stevenage is rocking and everyone is on the same page.”