Boro's final away fixture of the season ends in defeat despite a late Luke Norris penalty...
Boro travelled to Cumbria for the final away fixture of the season with Carlisle United as the opposition. Both sides looked for a strong finish to the campaign after securing EFL safety in recent weeks. Steve Evans made three changes with Brad Barry, Ed Upson and Luke Prosser returning to the starting eleven.
Carlisle created the first chance of the game after five minutes as Omari Patrick’s initial shot was deflected to Jack Armer in the six-yard area but Christy Pym did well to come out quick and deny.
Then, Stevenage found themselves just inches away from an opening goal moments later as Luke Prosser’s header deflected off the post and was eventually cleared of any danger.
Around the twenty-minute mark, Boro were on the front foot pushing for goal as Jake Taylor and Jamie Reid produced a decent combination in the box. However, Jamie Reid’s touch let him down as the forward failed to get a shot off. Five minutes later, Stevenage returned to the Carlisle area with Luke Norris bringing the ball down well before struggling to get a shot off under pressure.
With just a couple of minutes until the interval, Carlisle came close to getting the first goal of the afternoon. Former Boro man Jordan Gibson delivered a curling cross into the box with no one at the back post to get the decisive touch as the ball went wide of the mark. The conclusion of a rather dry half of football meant the sides went in goalless.
The second half soon got underway, and the hosts took the lead seven minutes after the break. Joe Riley received the ball just outside the area before unleashing a powerful effort into the bottom left corner to put his side in front.
Boro searched for a response moments later as Luke Norris latched onto the ball in the Carlisle area before squaring it to Ed Upson but the midfielder’s tame effort could only fall into the hands of Mark Howard.
Just after the hour mark, Steve Evans’ double substitution saw Elliott List and Ed Upson leave the field as they were replaced by Charlie Carter and Chris Lines respectively.
However, the momentum remained in Carlisle’s hands as they doubled their lead. Jack Armer’s low cross found Lewis Alessandra at the back post who slotted home to give Stevenage a bigger mountain to climb.
With ten minutes to go, Boro looked to possibly get one back as Luther James-Wildin found Charlie Carter at the back post but his headed effort went just over the bar.
Then, with five to go Scott Cuthbert was dragged down in the box, earning a penalty for Boro. Luke Norris stepped up and converted from the spot to give Stevenage a glimmer of hope.
However, Carlisle managed to hold on through the four minutes of added time as the referee blew for full time, sending Boro back on their travels empty-handed.