Steve Evans was still playing down Stevenage's title credentials despite a thumping victory over leaders Leyton Orient.

The 3-0 success moved them to within two points of the League Two summit and with a game in hand, that coming on Tuesday at Swindon Town.

Victory there could put them top but the Boro boss continues to insist he is just trying to stay in touch with a side he has dubbed the runaway train.

"We’re one of the wagons trying to desperately hang on," he said with a grin. 

"If they had beaten us, they would have gone eight points clear. That’s a runaway train. 

"From that point of view we’ve managed to have a good performance from start to finish. We started really well, maintained it midway and finished really strong. 

"What we speak about after a game, whether we win, lose or draw, is what we have learned. 

"What we learned is this is a decent Orient side that won’t lose too many games and I’m sure Richie [Wellens] will get them bouncing back. 

"Our job is to try as much as we can to stay behind them because I genuinely believe that if we do, we’ll have a good finish to the season.

"But our players are making a point that we can do OK this season. We just have to stay focused."

Evans revealed that the side chosen to start against the O's, one which featured two changes from the draw with Harrogate Town last time out, was picked at the beginning of the week.

The boss said: "There were real debates between the coaching staff on Sunday and Monday and I think we got it right between us.

"We planned our team and shape as far back as Monday and so we knew how we were going to play, we knew the style and we knew the personnel. 

"It was great to look at our bench and see the lads who weren’t even stripped. We’ve got good options. 

Jamie Reid gave Boro the perfect start on six minutes and it got better five minutes later when Jordan Roberts scored.

The sending off of Idris El Mizouni at the end of the first half tipped the scales further in Boro's favour and Luke Norris wrapped it up in stoppage time.

The three scorers drew special praise from the boss.

Evans said: "Jamie Reid has had to be patient. He’s been sat on the bench. 

"I was joking with him in training that he had one shot against Villa and scored and if he managed one shot against Orient and scored, that would do us. 

"Jordan Roberts has deserved that for weeks. He gives us more than any player in that position at the level for sure. 

"And the third was lovely for Luke. He’s worked so hard and when he sent through, you don’t want anybody other than Luke Norris running through like that. 

"He tucked it in and sent the fans home happy. 

"That was important for us."