BORO boss Graham Westley saluted the efforts of three players in particular after Stevenage’s superb 1-0 win over Accrington on Friday night.

It would be fair to describe Westley’s resources going into the second-leg as threadbare given that he was only able to name six substitutes instead of the permitted seven on the bench, including two goalkeepers and his retired assistant, Dino Maamria.

Westley singled out his central midfield pairing of Joel Byrom and Darren Murphy for their fantastic displays in the heart of the Boro midfield. The duo who were in the starting line-up out of necessity, didn’t look out of place in the slightest despite both of them missing pretty much the whole season before the start of the play-offs.

“It’s incredible really, from both of them,” spoke Westley.

“It just goes to show what I’ve been saying all year the importance of the 22. People say that one of the most important jobs in football management is managing the lads who aren’t in the side.

“You see lads who haven’t even got 10 games between them all year but we’ve been forced to use them – they weren’t 100 per cent match fit – but they’ve come in and both of them have done fantastic jobs. Credit to them for the work they’ve done away from the limelight, on the training ground when no-one’s watching, just keeping themselves ready to go and I’m delighted for both of them that they’ve got this achievement.”

Westley also reserved praise for striker Chris Beardsley who notched only his second goal of a frustrating season to seal Boro’s passage to Old Trafford.

He added: “It’s good to see a player like Beardo who toils endlessly for the team and gives his heart and soul to the team and it was great to see him get some plaudits and joy like he did tonight.

“He’s not a regular goalscorer but he puts so much work in for the team it’s nice to see him share some of the limelight.”

Stay tuned to the www.thecomet.net for more reaction from Friday night’s victory over Accrington.