Stevenage beat Colchester United 3-1 in a fiery game at the Lamex on Saturday, coming back from 1-0 down.
Boro made it three home wins in a row on Saturday, beating the U’s - who were fourth at the start of the day - with a dominant second-half display.
However, Boro’s start to the afternoon was as grey as the sky they played under, as they went 1-0 down after one minute in the sheeting rain.
Countering after an early opportunity for the hosts, Colchester right-back Ryan Jackson was played into space outside the box on the right. His low cross bounced through to Sammie Szmodics, who tapped in from close-range.
Boro’s passing was disjoined, and there seemed to be a disconnect between the midfield and attack. However, the visitors offered little after their goal, and the hosts finally began pressuring Colchester in the final five minutes of the half.
It payed off, as Scott Cuthbert’s flicked knock-down after a corner was nodded in by Kurtis Guthrie from inside the 6-yard-box after 44-minutes.
Guthrie’s U’s contract was terminated in April, and on his first meeting with his old club, the visiting fans had booed him constantly. After running away celebrating with his finger to his lips, Nick Kinseley brandished a harsh yellow card.
After a positive end to the half, Boro started the second period with an even higher tempo. Substitute Emmanuel Sonupe missed two good chances and saw an attempted overhead kick sail over as the home side poured forward.
The game took on a frantic tempo as Colchester looked to fight back, but Boro held them off well and were firmly on top.
Their dominance paid off in the 85th minute. First, Ben Kennedy buried a penalty after Steve Seddon was fouled in the box. Seconds later, Boro won the ball back, and Guthrie raced forward. He slipped Emmanuel Sonupe in, for the number 11 to slot in under Dillion Barnes.
It was a jubilant Lamex who watched the eight minutes of injury time play out, as Boro contained the visitors to the whistle, even forging opportunities to make it four on the counter-attack.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here