Stevenage progressed to the second round of the Herts Senior Cup with a 3-1 win away at Colney Heath this evening.
With Graham Westley taking a watching brief for this one, Dino Maamria took charge of a strong Boro side which combined players recently returned from injury with other squad players and five scholars on the bench.
Roarie Deacon struck first blood on the quarter hour mark, turning sharply in the box and firing home to put Boro ahead, before Tom Pett doubled the advantage minutes later with a shot in off the post.
Two goals to the good, the game looked comfortable for Stevenage but things changed on the hour when Andy Bond was shown a straight red card for fouling as the last defender. It was unfortunate on the Boro skipper who had slipped on the soggy surface and pulled his man back, but after consulting his linesman the referee reduced the visitors to 10 men.
The hosts pushed forward and forced Sam Beasant into a couple of saves before they did pull one goal back, courtesy of a fine driven shot into the far corner.
Dale Gorman came on in the closing stages for Dean Parrett and helped swing the momentum back in Boro's favour, with Pett adding a late third from close range to secure the win.
Next up in the Herts Senior Cup will be Bishop's Stortford at home in early December. Full details on that game will follow in due course.
Stevenage: Beasant, Richens, Bond, Dembele, Okimo, Clarke, Walton, Conlon, Pett, Parrett (Gorman 78), Deacon
Subs not used: Patel (GK), Millard, Casey, Yamfam
Stevenage's busy week of cup football continues this Thursday when the U18s host Needham Market at The Lamex Stadium in the first round of the FA Youth Cup. Kick-off is 7pm and prices are £5 adult, £2 concession (U16 and over-60).
Stevenage then welcome Maidstone United on Sunday (2pm) in the first round of the FA Cup. Ticket news for this game can be found here.