Sarll has questions answered by Boro

STEVENAGE manager Darren Sarll admitted he got the answers he was looking for from his side, after asking some pre-match questions before the visit of Grimsby Town.

Goals from Steven Schumacher and Jobi McAnuff were enough to settle the match at Broadhall Way, as Boro earned a first win in three League Two games.

Sarll said: “There was a lot of pressure on us and we built up that pressure during the week.

“We did that because, when we played Grimsby earlier in the season, they totally outplayed us and our performance last week wasn’t up to scratch.

“We ramped it up on the players. We made a few changes and carried out our strategy from start to finish. I’m pleased with the players.

“For me, this is the great thing about our senior players. We poked a few of them a little this week, and Steven (Schumacher) was one of the ones I wanted to poke.

“And he certainly gave me the answers I was looking for.”

Once the action begun, Scott Vernon took a tumble inside the opening minute, but his appeals for a penalty were quickly waved away.

And at the other end, Stevenage were celebrating a spectacular opener shortly after.

Schumacher placed the ball 30 yards out, and even Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson was powerless to stop his swerving free-kick from finding the top corner.

Chances were few and far between for the rest of the opening 45 minutes, although Stevenage’s Matt Godden fired high and wide when well-placed.

Upon the restart, Brandon Comley dragged wide for the visitors, who rolled the dice with a number of attacking substitutions.

However, the game was then put to bed on 62 minutes when McAnuff took full advantage of a mix up between Henderson and Zak Mills, to the displeasure of Grimsby boss Marcus Bignot.

“It’s just the level we are at right now,” he said. “If you take the two goals out of the equation, even though we were frustrated, neither keeper had to make a save.

“For me it was the basics. I’m a big believer in doing the basics well, especially off the ball. Once again there was great execution for their opening goal, but for me it was the lead up to that free-kick that was frustrating.

“And then the second goal was pure comedy, but I certainly wasn’t laughing.”