Alex Revell ‘proud’ as Stevenage soar to summit after beating Peterborough

Stevenage manager Alex Revell was delighted for everyone associated with the club after his side won 1-0 at Peterborough to go top of League One.

English football’s third tier remains incredibly open this season, emphasised by the fact The Boro started the night sixth in the table and without a win in four league games.

They are now one point clear of second-placed Cardiff after Jamie Reid’s penalty decided the contest at the Weston Homes Stadium and inflicted a first defeat upon Posh boss Luke Williams.

Revell said: “Really top performance, especially first half.

“We created good opportunities, we defended brilliantly as a team and second half you’re away from home against a team that have just won four on the spin, so we had to make sure we dealt with that.

“We still had, for me, the better chances in the second half which we don’t quite take to go 2-0 up.

“But I’m so proud of this group, so proud of the staff because the staff have worked incredibly hard to make sure this shape and the information and everything got through to the players and the players have taken it on board.

“I’m so proud of what we have and, again, the fans kept driving us on. We’re delighted for everybody.

“You can’t ask for anything more in terms of the result – it’s always on the result but the way they performed in that shape and worked for each other.”

The decisive moment came in the 21st minute when Reid converted from the spot – his first goal since August – after Tom O’Connor handled Dan Sweeney’s header.

Peterborough’s players felt they should have had a penalty in the second half after the ball appeared to hit Daniel Phillips’ hand but their appeals fell on deaf ears.

Williams said: “It seemed strange because it seemed quite clear but I’ve not got the best view in the house, so I respect the referee.

“The players felt [hard done by] for sure but like I said the referee has to make the big call and he’s got a good view, I guess, so I have to respect that.

“There were simple actions they got flustered with and misplaced passes, misplaced touches, because they were out of sorts and thrown off stride by the opposition.

“They have to focus on things better and not be overwhelmed by the energy and the aggression of the other team. It’s something you just have to cope with.

“We’ve had the recent form we’ve had and scored a lot of goals so don’t be surprised if the opposition turn up with a different game plan – it’s the first time they’ve played with a back five, Stevenage.”