Alex Revell pleased with how Stevenage ‘dug in’ to beat Burton

Alex Revell was delighted with the organisation of his Stevenage side as they grabbed all three points from a scrappy 1-0 win away at Burton.

The Boro moved to within a point of the play-offs with victory, their fourth in five games.

“We had to work extremely hard for that,” Revell said. “Character, togetherness and all of those things that we talk about before the match, from one to 11 and those who came on showed that togetherness and how much they want to win.”

Jamie Reid’s 11th goal of the season settled a dour and lacklustre affair a minute before half time and Revell acknowledged it was a scrap, but the result was the most important thing after a run of six straight away defeats stretching back to December.

“We dug in,” he admitted. “It wasn’t pretty at times but all in all a good win away from home. A 12th clean sheet of the season on the back of recent away games is a good way to get back on track.”

Stevenage had to rely on their organisation to nullify a Burton side in good recent form and there was a hint of frustration as half time approached before Reid settled things.

“I think you get that frustration because we didn’t settle that quickly and we couldn’t get in our rhythm due to the stop start nature of the game,” Revell added.

“Then all of a sudden we get a moment of quality. We secured the ball and then Reidy does what he does. We all want him to shoot on his right, but he cuts in and it’s a great finish and the moment of quality to win us the game.”

Burton head coach Gary Bowyer felt that the game played into the hands of the visitors from early on.

“I thought the game and the way it was refereed and was allowed to be played suited them right down to the ground,” he said. “They are very good at it and they were allowed to be very good at it.

“That said we weren’t good enough in the first half with our energy, our body language and our urgency. We had a response, to a degree, in the second half but we have only had one shot on target.”

Albion have had a hectic schedule since the start of February, with three of the last four games on the road, but Bowyer refused to let that be a reason for his side’s performance.

“People will say that we have played so many games in so many weeks and done some travelling but, so what?” he added. “That’s an excuse and we have talked to them in the dressing room there because they have produced what we needed in the second half. All the things that are important for us.

“We have to find a way of not settling into the way that the opposition want to play and having the bravery and courage to play. We needed more from everyone today.”