Take the point and move on...
Stevenage battled their way to a goalless draw at home to Carlisle on Saturday as both teams cancelled each other out in a hard fought contest.
Not exactly one for the purist, a rain affected pitch seeminly had an impact on the game with clear cut chances few and far between.
The point means that Boro have now made it ten home games unbeaten.
Darren Sarll named an unchanged line-up from the side that lost to Reading in midweek, an almost full strength team with Godden, Newton, Kennedy and Pett starting in attack.
It was Godden that almost got Stevenage off to the perfect start, breaking clear of Clint Hill inside the box but just unable to keep his shot on target.
Not particularly known for his aerial ability, Tom Pett saw a glancing header fall just the wrong side of the post moments later, after Kennedy picked him out from the right hand side.
With 15 minutes gone, Jamie Devitt wrapped a wicked looking free-kick past the post with Tom King rooted and beaten. The opposition’s first real shot in anger despite getting into some good positions up to that point.
It was a scrappy affair, on a soggy pitch which both teams dealt with admirably.
As we approached the half hour mark, Ben Kennedy waited for the ball to drop at the back-post following a Stevenage corner and the winger connected well, but into the hands of Bonham.
Carlisle’s best opportunity of the half came shortly after, Sam Cosgrove released through on goal but when faced with the intimidating presence of Tom King, the Carlisle man attempted a cheeky chip which King simply caught with ease.
The game was chippy throughout with plenty of fouls given on both sides. Kennedy and Bennett both booked in the first half for their parts in the melee.
With half-time edging nearer, Jonathan Smith was denied by a superb Carlisle block as he looked to drive the ball towards goal inside a crowded area after arriving late into the box.
Deep in added time, Joe Martin was replaced by Terence Vancooten after picking up an injury and Carlisle captain, Danny Grainer was denied right on the whistle after his well hit free-kick was beaten away by King.
In the second half, Stevenage started brightly. Kennedy coming close to finding Godden with a deft flick over the defence, Bonham off his line just in time to get to the ball first.
Boro were really beginning to pile on the pressure early in the second half and Pett came inches away from connecting to Godden’s ball across the six yard box, just behind the long serving winger.
Carlisle were set up to play on the counter and it took until the 66th minute for their first good chance of the half. Recently brought on, Hallam Hope breaking free before stinging the palms of King once again.
With the game heading towards a stalemate, Sarll brought on Alex Samuel for Ben Kennedy with just over 15 minutes to go.
Despite bringing some fresh impetus and energy down the right hand side, moves were breaking down and it was certainly one where the midfielders and defence were on top.
Matty Godden was the man that looked most likely to pick the lock, creating space for himself down the right with 5 minutes to go but his ball across the 6 yard box had nobody gambling.
In the end, a draw that doesn't really suit either side as the chase for a run up the table continues.