Jamie Reid's second-half finish is the difference-maker as Stevenage take home all three points...

Stevenage travelled to Shrewsbury Town for the first time in nine years as they looked for a crucial three points on the road. The gaffer made four changes from last weekend’s FA Cup tie with Maidstone, as Dan Butler, Finley Burns, Aaron Pressley and Ben Thompson returned to the starting eleven.

Boro lined up with a back four of Luther James-Wildin, Terence Vancooten, Carl Piergianni and Dan Butler, in front of Taye Ashby-Hammond between the sticks. A midfield diamond of Finley Burns, Jake Forster-Caskey, Ben Thompson and Nick Freeman ran the middle of the park, behind the forward duo of Jamie Reid and Aaron Pressley.

The visitors started the better of the two sides as they looked to take the lead inside thirty seconds. Jamie Reid was in possession of the ball on the right-hand side of the area before firing his effort wide of the mark.

The first half was quite a slow encounter as both sides looked to compete for every ball and establish themselves in the game. Shrewsbury saw a header fall wide from a corner, but it was Stevenage who saw the ball in the opposition half for the most part as they searched for an opener.

Five minutes before the break, Boro came close to taking the lead as Carl Piergianni’s header across goal was heading towards Aaron Pressley, but the forward couldn’t quite get something on it. Jamie Reid then looked to fire on goal first-time, but his effort was blocked by Jordan Shipley.

The fourth official indicated one minute of added time which wasn’t enough for Boro to grab a goal, as the sides went into the break goalless.

Neither side made a change at half-time as the second half soon got underway, Stevenage were now attacking towards the 245 travelling supporters.

Stevenage were attacking nicely down the left flank, with Dan Butler, Jake Forster-Caskey and Nick Freeman linking up well. Butler’s cross into the area found the towering Aaron Pressley who headed into the ‘keeper’s hands.

On the hour mark, Stevenage continued to push forward and find that opening goal. Ben Thompson’s low cross into the box met Jamie Reid who couldn’t quite get the ball out of his feet. The hosts then made a triple change.

The Shrews had a rare chance to take the lead five minutes later, but Max Mata was under pressure from the Stevenage defence as his effort rolled into the hands of Ashby-Hammond.

The gaffer made his first change with over twenty to go as Aaron Pressley made way for Kane Hemmings up top.

It became a real battle at The Croud Meadow as both sides looked to gain an advantage. Two more substitutions were made by the visitors with fifteen minutes remaining, as Jordan Roberts and Louis Thompson replaced Finley Burns and Ben Thompson.

With under ten minutes remaining, Stevenage finally broke the deadlock and deservedly so, after all their hard work. Jake Forster-Caskey’s through ball was sublime, and so was Jamie Reid’s first touch, as he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper before slotting it into the bottom corner.

It was goal number nineteen for Boro’s number nineteen in all competitions this season.

Six minutes of additional time were to be played at the end of the second half as Stevenage looked to hold onto their lead. Boro had to be patient to find their goal in the game and they were not going to let it go to waste.

Shrewsbury failed to really threaten Boro in the closing stages as the referee blew his final whistle to award Stevenage the three points. It was a hardworking performance from the visitors as they looked destined for victory.

Stevenage now prepare for a return to The Lamex next Saturday as Barnsley come to town.

Attendance: 5,259 including 245 away supporters.