Stevenage Boro 0 Northwich Victoria 2 SATURDAY S loss saw a desperately disappointing home result and performance by Boro. If Mark Stimson s side had deserved a share of the spoils in the defeat by high-flying Dagenham a week previously, few would argue

Stevenage Boro 0 Northwich Victoria 2

SATURDAY'S loss saw a desperately disappointing home result and performance by Boro.

If Mark Stimson's side had deserved a share of the spoils in the defeat by high-flying Dagenham a week previously, few would argue they deserved to take anything from this clash against a fellow mid-table outfit.

The visitors defended stoutly and launched the occasional counter attack. Their cause was also helped by taking the lead with a 'generous' penalty decision.

As boss Stimson admitted afterwards, Boro would not have scored if the game had gone on for twice as long.

Stimson said: "It was down to us on our patch to create things and break them down. We never really looked like doing that and I don't think our wide players did enough.

"Northwich came to frustrate us and achieved it.

"We were bright in the first 10 or 15 minutes before their goal.

"If referees are going to give a penalty for things like that, there will be four or five a game."

A low-key start was only enlivened by some sublime skill by George Boyd. Unfortunately his lovely turn was not matched by a shot to trouble Phil Senior.

The Vics threatened as Danny Mayman unleashed a ferocious volley which Alan Julian was relieved to see fly wide.

Then Julian had another anxious moment as Tony Gallimore's shot deflected wide after his initial free-kick was blocked.

A controversial incident led to Vics taking the lead midway through the half.

Julian punched clear a corner and the Northwich players started to retreat as referee Gibbs blew his whistle.

It soon became clear that the official had awarded a spot-kick - Jon Nurse seemingly penalised for an alleged shirt-pull on Louis Dodds - and Stuart Elliot accepted the gift with aplomb.

Dangerous crosses from Steve Morison and Craig Dobson did not have an end product as Boro sought a quick response.

And they were further frustrated as a raised flag for offside cancelled out Mark Beard's flick from a John Nutter shot.

Northwich nearly extended their lead as the half ended when Jonny Allen's long range shot was pushed away in spectacular fashion by Julian. The keeper also did well to deny sub Kevin Townson from the resulting corner.

Boro needed a lift and Stimson opted to replace Dwane Lee with Adam Miller at the break.

Miller got on the ball more but Boro were still misfiring in front of goal.

Their only clear chance of the half saw Nurse shoot too close to Senior after being played in by Nurse.

This came a minute after the Vics had scored their second, Townson squaring for Dodds to finish with ease to complete a fine breakaway.

Earlier, Michael Carr should have done better when he had a clear sight of Julian's goal.

One of the few positives of the half was a league debut for Dale Binns who replaced Craig Dobson just after the hour mark.

Binns has been sidelined by injury since pre-season but he showed enough to suggest he will prove a useful addition as the season unfolds.

Boss Stimson added at the final whistle: "Only George (Boyd) had the spark in the first half.

"We couldn't get the ball into him enough after the break.