Saturday gave Stevenage the opportunity to push on after four league defeats out of five and build on their recent winning performances in the FA and Checkatrade Cup matches.
They will face far easier opponents than a Notts County side top of League Two.
The hard-earned draw showed Boro have the pedigree, as well as the fighting spirit, to go toe-to-toe with genuine contenders for automatic promotion. Battle they did as, faced with a formidable strike force, Stevenage held firm, offering County little in the way of clear-cut chances and forcing the visitors to resort to hitting long balls and exerting pressure on the home defence.
There were certainly plenty of positives for the home team.
The industriousness and speed of Danny Newton caused the County backline plenty of problems, and his first goal since the end of September was fully deserved.
Newton could have had a hat-trick, glancing a header onto the bar in the first half and forcing a save from Magpies keeper Ross Fitzsimons at his near post after the break.
Jack King also looked to be back to his formidable best, anchoring the centre of defence alongside Luke Wilkinson while Harry Beautyman deserved to edge King out of the man of the match award.
The intelligent running and passing from the former Peterborough United man were a welcome sight with most fans thinking ‘Beauts’ now deserves a run in the team to show us what he can do.
Boro may feel this was two points thrown away as opposed to a point gained after a slack pass from Jonathan Smith, gifted possession to the Magpies, leading to their equaliser, which was the only opposition shot on target in 90 minutes.
So comfortable were Stevenage up until then, one could be forgiven for thinking the sizeable away following had lost their voices.
It was the sixth time Stevenage have thrown away a lead this season and it’s something Darren Sarll will wish to address before they play Mansfield Town. Only goal difference separates us from The Stags who gained their away win this term, at Coventry City on Saturday.
This will be our fourth visit to Field Mill – our last being the 2-1 win last season when the defining moment was the sensational second Boro goal from on-loan Harry McKirdy.
The Stags will no doubt provide a stern test for Stevenage, as they have only lost one league game at home so far this campaign.
It will also offer an opportunity for Boro to rekindle their relationship with their larger than life manager, Steve Evans...
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