Luke Wilkinson almost grabbed the headlines himself on Saturday.

While Tyler Walker and Jack King got the goals in Stevenage’s 2-1 win over Crawley Town, former Luton Town centre-back Wilkinson was arguably his side’s man of the match with a steadfast performance following his return from a knee injury alongside the impressive Fraser Franks.

The defender also stung the palms of Crawley’s on-loan goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney from 35 yards deep in the second half with an effort that, had it gone in, would have seen the 24-year-old ‘go mad’ around the pitch and would have added to Stevenage’s impressive goal tally so far this term.

There have been goals at both ends of the pitch, and lots of them: Stevenage’s matches have averaged four per game with 14 for and 14 against.

Alongside Hartlepool United, also with 28, it’s the highest number of any side in the top four divisions.

Wilkinson believes the tide is turning for the team and, despite it being followed by a 3-1 defeat at Leyton Orient in that wretched, reformatted EFL Trophy, the defender saw the 5-2 trouncing at Grimsby as something of a turning point as much for himself as the team.

He was taken off after 52 minutes in that game with a knee injury with Crawley his first game back.

He acknowledges that the Grimsby display was poor, but says that he is pleased to see Stevenage move on from what was an extremely disappointing August.

“I think we had a slow start to the season but the boys have come in and worked extra hard. We all want to turn things round,” Wilkinson told the Comet. “We want to be as high up the league as we can.”

Asked if Grimsby was an eye-opener, Wilkinson said: “Yes, a massive one. Especially for myself.

“I had a very poor game against Grimsby. Even though I also had a slight knock I deserved to come off anyway. I give 110 per cent every week but unfortunately it didn’t quite pan out like that at Grimsby.

“Then I got injured which wasn’t great but I’ve managed to get back in the team and we’ve won again. Hopefully I can keep my place and keep progressing as a team.”

Which they did at the weekend.

“Everyone was working for each other and the performances were all at least seven out of 10,” Wilkinson added.

“We’ve got goals all over the pitch. We just need to keep the door shut at the other end now.”