Alex Revells in backline brilliance of his Boro...

ALEX Revell hailed the leaders in Stevenage’s defence after seeing his side defeat play-off chasers Harrogate.

The visitors created a host of chances, but their profligacy was punished when Elliott List rounded James Belshaw to score the winner early in the second-half.

Stevenage are now five games unbeaten and Revell was full of praise for his side’s rearguard action.

“It wasn’t the type of football that we know we can play,” he said.

“Because of the group that we’ve got, we managed to change the shape slightly and we had a bit more control in the game and we grew into it, but every time we went on the counter I felt we were a threat.

“What we did as a group was defend excellently and just think we’ve got really good leaders in the side that manage that and want to block and keep the ball out the net.”

The visitors dominated the first half and George Thomson came closest when his deflected effort from a well-worked free-kick routine forced Jamie Cumming into a smart low save.

The closest Stevenage came was a Danny Newton effort that flashed wide of the near post after a flowing counter led by List and Elliot Osborne.

Harrogate were made to pay for their missed chances seven minutes after half-time when List latched on to Cumming’s long punt over the top and rounded Belshaw to tuck home.

The visitors continued to create chances and Jack Muldoon twice blazed over the bar from close range, before heading straight at Cumming as Stevenage held on for three points.

Harrogate manager Simon Weaver suggested they could still contend for promotion, despite falling six points adrift of the playoffs.

“I thought it was a really good performance, we’re really getting there as a team,” he said.

“We played some of the best football we have all season, we were fluid, passed the ball well, created a lot of problems, but lacked a little bit of end product.

“One long ball over the top did for us, it’s unfortunate but the lad took his chance well. I couldn’t fault the performance.

“If we play like that from now until the end of the season it’s going to be an exciting time.”