Both sides fail to break the deadlock as Boro take a point home from South London...
Stevenage travelled to South London as the push for promotion continued. It was the first chance to see some new faces as Jökull Andrésson started between the sticks with Josh Reid and Josh March earning themselves a place on the bench.
Steve Evans was forced to make changes to his backline as Jonathan Tomkinson and Michael Bostwick replaced Dan Sweeney and Terence Vancooten who were side-lined through injury. Captain, Carl Piergianni was the final piece in the back-three puzzle.
One final change was made from eleven who started against Stoke as Luke Norris came in for Danny Rose who took his place on the bench.
The opening fifteen minutes were scrappy, with the ball spending long periods of time in the air, but it was Boro who appeared to be the brighter side early on. Max Clark looked to bomb down the left-wing on several occasions and was handed an opportunity from Luther James-Wildin’s cross, but the left wing-back fired into the side-netting.
The new Icelandic stopper was called into action after eighteen minutes as Will Randall fired on goal, but Andrésson stretched to his right to deny.
Max Clark found space once again on the left-hand side as he delivered a curling cross into Jamie Reid, but the forward’s headed effort floated wide.
Just before the half-hour mark, Stevenage remained the side on top and were looking to control the game. Carl Piergianni’s superb long ball found Luke Norris who touched it down with his chest before seeing his effort blocked. Then, just moments later Jamie Reid touched the ball down inside the box, spun and fired straight at Jack Rose.
Moments before half-time, Evans was forced into his first substitution of the afternoon as Jake Reeves appeared to have felt tightness in his leg and was replaced by Jake Forster-Caskey.
Then, a Sutton corner almost resulted in the hosts taking the lead as Jökull Andrésson was unable to punch it clear, but the Icelandic keeper redeemed himself by making a remarkable save from close-range to keep the score goalless at the break.
The opening ten minutes of the second half were reasonably quiet with neither goalkeeper being tested. Steve Evans and his assistant, Paul Raynor were booked within the space of two minutes for arguing their points to the officials.
Evans then opted to change up his front three with Luke Norris, Jordan Roberts and Jamie Reid being replaced by Danny Rose, Daryl Horgan and debutant Josh March.
Minutes after the triple substitution, Stevenage almost took the lead. Jake Forster-Caskey’s delightful free-kick found the head of Carl Piergianni who headed across goal before an open Daryl Horgan saw his own headed effort fly over the bar.
With fifteen minutes remaining, Boro earned themselves a free-kick after Luther James-Wildin was tripped, twenty-five yards from goal. Jake Forster-Caskey stepped up and opted to shoot, but his powerful effort was blocked by the wall.
Stevenage looked to stay on the front foot in order to get the upper hand with the deadlock still yet to be broken. Alex Gilbey drilled a low left-footed shot towards goal, with both Josh March and Danny Rose looking to guide it into the net, but neither striker was able to get a touch on it.
The match was rapidly reaching its final moments as Boro piled bodies forward in the hopes of a winner. Josh March showed signs of liveliness up top and was handed an opportunity after a decent cross into the box, but the forward’s header fell into the hands of Jack Rose.
The fourth official held up four minutes to be played as both sides looked desperate for a winner. Stevenage had a corner late on, but a foul was committed, and Sutton were awarded a free-kick. The referee then blew his final whistle to send both sides home with a point each after a goalless draw.
Boro return to The Lamex Stadium next Saturday as Bradford City come to town.