Despite Stevenage’s recent sticky patch of two successive League Two defeats, caretaker boss Darren Sarll says Stevenage are “moving forward” as they work to secure their Football League status for another season.

Boro, currently 19th, face play-off hopefuls Portsmouth at the Lamex Stadium this Saturday on the back of two blanks at Carlisle United (1-0) and, last week, at home to Exeter City (2-0).

However, the stand-in manager is not too down with his side’s current showings and believes the goals, and points, will are just around the corner.

Sarll said: “I’m not having to pick them up off the floor on Monday morning. They’re very attune to what I want now.

“I think the team has been great. The end product has not always been favourable but it’s been pleasing to watch, it’s been entertaining to watch and we’re creating chances.

“Fans come to see goalscoring chances and goalscoring opportunities and players taking risks and being inventive and I think my team has shown that in the last few games.

“It’ll [results] come. No-one has got a magic wand here but we’re working our way around it. If we were going backwards it’s a completely different conversation but everyone can see we’re moving forward. The football club and the supporters know we’re moving forward. There’s a lot to be pleased about.”

Beyond Pompey’s weekend visit, Stevenage have a tough three-game run with a home game against runaway leaders Northampton Town (March 19) sandwiched between trips to ninth-placed Wycombe Wanderers (March 12) and then promotion-chasing Oxford United on Good Friday.

When asked whether Boro are in relegation fight, Sarll was indignant with his response.

He said: “No, I don’t believe that.

“I think we’re looking up and we’re striving to move up the table and remove any lingering doubt.

“We don’t talk about that [relegation] around here. I don’t think people think about it around here. There’s too much to be looking forward to.

“We’re [Sarll and assistant manager Terry Harris] are not sitting on the edge of our box every Saturday hoping we don’t concede another one and let’s hang on.

“I don’t think relegation is on the mind of anyone at this football club.”

After a meeting with club chairman Phil Wallace at the Bragbury End training ground this afternoon (Thursday), it’s confirmed Sarll will remain in caretaker charge for the foreseeable future.