THE HEAT IS OFF
Evans plays down expectations on his side after a great escape
STEVE EVANS insists the pressure is off history-seeking Stevenage.
The Scot (inset) is bidding to lead the club into the Championship for the first time and saw them keep their play-off chances on the boil with two goals in the final eight minutes to grab a draw.
It leaves them without a win in five games but just a point off the top six as they look to rival former Premier League clubs Portsmouth, Derby and Bolton for a place in the second tier.
Stevenage host Ian Evatt’s third-place Trotters on Good Friday and Evans said: “There are seven games to go, we’re a point off the play-offs and we’re in amongst the giants of clubs.
“We’re still in there scrapping and we deserve to be there for what we’ve contributed all season. What we lack in certain departments we make up for in spirit. It makes the Easter weekend special. It’s another huge club in Bolton Wanderers at home.
“And I am looking forward to welcoming Ian and his gang to a full Lamex which will be bursting at the seams.
“We are where we are on merit because the league table doesn’t lie and our points tally doesn’t lie.
“If we come up short we’ll regroup and go again but we’ve got a magnificent run-in to look forward to.”
Rock-bottom Carlisle led thanks to a clinical brace from Manchester United academy product Dan Butterworth.
But they could not hold on as a Alex Macdonald penalty and a stoppagetime leveller from Terence Vancooten leaves the Cumbrians 15 points adrift of safety after one win in 14.
Their return to League Two after just one season could be confirmed as early as Easter Monday.
Boss Paul Simpson admitted: “The players are better than they have shown this season. We’re running out of time.”