Tuesday's trip to Newport County handed Kane Smith a first start in League Two in almost four months - and Stevenage manager Steve Evans was pleased with what he saw.

The former Hitchin Town full-back last appeared in a starting league line-up for Boro back in October when they lost to Northampton Town and hadn't been seen in the opening 11 for almost two months, the Papa John's Trophy exit at Portsmouth.

But with Luther James-Wildin out injured, he played the full 90 minutes at Rodney Parade, setting up Luke Norris for their first goal and then launching the throw-in that brought number two.

And Evans said it was just a case of him staying patient.

"Kane was great," said the gaffer. "He’s been very unlucky in the sense that Luther James-Wildin has been outstanding, simply outstanding. 

"Kane came in a couple of weeks ago and asked if he could have a chat about not being in the team. 

"He’s a lovely young man, conducts himself properly, a really good professional. 

"But when he came in, his opening line was ‘well, I know one of the reasons I’m not in the team is because Luther has been great’ and I said ‘no, that’s the only reason’. 

"What we told him to keep training because Luther’s form will dip, it happens to everyone, or he’ll get a knock or something will happen and then you’ll get your chance, so be ready. 

"He’s trained like a little demon for the last 10 days, two weeks, just waiting for his chance to come and I thought he was very good."