Dean Wells says Boro are working hard to ensure they finish strongly this campaign – and kick on to the next one.

Boro’s 0-0 draw against promotion hopefuls Bristol Rovers on Tuesday ensured that Darren Sarll’s men will remain in League Two next season, but Wells doesn’t want to see a repeat of this season’s woes.

Defensively Stevenage are improving and Tuesday’s draw means that it is just one defeat in six for the club.

Stevenage beat Newport County 2-1 on Saturday with goals from Jake Mulraney and Aaron O’Connor, but although they drew a blank on Tuesday Wells says the club is working on improving that in training.

“I thought we played well [against Rovers]; I thought we were solid.

“We have been progressing as a unit over the last few games and are getting better all the time.

“We just need to get that killer instinct in front of goal and kill games off – but that will come.

“We’re all working hard in training – including our forwards who are working on their shooting too. There’s a great team spirit and we really want to kick on for the rest of the season and hopefully next year.

“Darren Sarll has installed a bit of grit in us that had possibly been missing this season. We haven’t done as well as we should have done this year no question about it.

“We have a squad now that is capable of pushing for promotion – it’s just very disappointing about where we are at the moment.

“Now we have to get a few additions in during the summer and work hard for the rest of this season and throughout pre-season – and then who knows.

“I’m not going to start making any predictions but there’s no shred of a doubt we will be prepared for next season.”

Wells also praised some of the side’s younger players, and hopes that the club will reap the benefits of their exposure to a tough season for years to come.

“Some of our lads like Dale Gorman and Ben Kennedy have come through our youth team – and were actually put through by Darren Sarll so he trusts them – so now through his hard work and their hard work we will see them push onto another level,” Wells added.

“You can see they will be good players in the next few years and that is testament to them and the boss and our youth set-up.”