Stevenage Borough

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The Lamex Stadium

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Stevenage 2-1 Rushden

Stevenage Borough overcame a stubborn 10-man Rushden & Diamonds side to notch up their second victory of the new Blue Square Premier campaign.

Graham Westley was forced into making changes to his Boro side as injuries ruled out Ashley Bayes and Darren Murphy. Chris Day and Stacy Long came into the side for the duo with Lee Boylan also making his way into the starting lineup at the expense of Mitchell Cole.

Boro thought they had taken the lead in just the fifth minute when Chris Beardsley came close when his right footed was denied by the post.

Stevenage didn't have to wait long to take the lead as just 30 seconds later Beardsley was brought down inside the Diamonds box by Curtis Obang and a penalty was awarded. Boylan stepped up to justify his selection and made no mistake to convert the spotkick and give his side an early one nil lead.

The turning point of the afternoon came in the 21st minute when a rash challenge by Michael Corocan through the back of Lawrie Wilson resulted in the shameful Corocan being handed his marching orders. Wilson was carried off by a stretcher and looks set to face some time on the sidelines as a reuslt of the challenge.

The sides both enjoyed spells of possession for the rest of the first half but neither could convert which saw the sides head into the interval with Boro holding their deserved lead.

Westley's men were made to pay for their slow start to the second half as a loose ball ran to Diamonds' Akurang in the 58th minute for the visitors to draw level. Long, Bostwick and Beardsley all failed to put the ball into the net moments earlier for Stevenage and it came against the run of play when they surrendered their lead.

The Lamex Stadium faithful were made to wait until the 74th minute for their side to take the lead once more as a ball into the penalty area was driven low past Roberts by Bostwick.

The Striker's effort landed up being the winner for Boro and, even though it was anything but convincing, Graham Westley will be ecstatic for the three points earned.

Stevenage Borough bookings: Henry.

Rushden & Diamonds bookings: Porter.

Sent off: Corcoran.

Ref: N Kinseley.

Att: 1704.