A late Louis Thompson strike awards Boro the three points in Wigan...

Stevenage travelled to the DW Stadium for the first time in the club’s history, looking for a crucial three points to end the month of January. Three fresh faces linked up with the squad for this one, with two being placed straight into the starting eleven.

Craig MacGillivray started between the sticks for the first time since signing, and his back four consisted of Luther James-Wildin, Dan Sweeney, Carl Piergianni and Dan Butler. A midfield trio of Finley Burns, Harvey White and Nick Freeman lined up behind the attacking line of Jordan Roberts, Jamie Reid and new man, Vadaine Oliver.

After three minutes, Wigan were awarded a penalty after a handball offence inside the area. Josh Magennis stepped up to take and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to give the hosts an early lead.

Boro’s new striker, Vadaine Oliver, was called into action after ten minutes, as his impressive hold-up play earned his new side a free-kick just outside the area. Harvey White, making his first league start, stood over the ball but was unable to strike it over the wall.

It was all Stevenage after the opening goal as they pressed high up the pitch, searching for an equaliser. They got exactly what they were looking for inside fifteen minutes, as Dan Butler’s ball into the box was knocked down by Vadaine Oliver, allowing none other than Jamie Reid to fire home and score his 20^th goal of the season.

Boro looked the better side and even came close to taking the lead shortly after equalising. Again, it was Jamie Reid in the right place at the right time, but he dragged his header just wide of the mark.

The first half slowed down after the half an hour mark, and after 37 minutes, Wigan took the lead from a set piece. The ball was sent over to the back post as Thelo Aasgaard tapped it past MacGillivray.

Dan Butler found space on the left flank shortly after, as Stevenage looked to equalise for a second time. His dangerous cross to the front post was headed wide by Jamie Reid.

The fourth official indicated five added minutes at the end of the first half as Boro pushed for that second equaliser. Harvey White’s free-kick before half-time looked destined for Carl Piergianni to tap home, but Wigan defended the danger.

The hosts thought they had doubled their lead moments before half time, but the referee ruled it out for a foul on a Stevenage player.

The half-time whistle was then blown, sending Boro into the break a goal down.

Neither side made a change during the interval, as the second half soon got underway.

Stevenage came agonisingly close to levelling the scoring moments into the second half as Jamie Reid saw his header fall inches past the post.

Harvey White looked lively all afternoon, and he earned his side a free-kick just outside the area due to his quick feet. It was goal scorer, Jamie Reid, to take, but he fired just wide of the mark.

The second half was an extremely hard-fought battle at times, as both sides looked to cancel each other out. Stevenage were seeing a lot of the ball and were being patient in their build-up play.

Eventually, the equaliser came for Boro, and deservedly so. Nick Freeman was superb in keeping the ball alive, as his looping cross found Carl Piergianni at the back post who headed home to make it two apiece.

The gaffer then made his first change of the afternoon, as Luther James-Wildin made way for Louis Thompson, with Nick Freeman slotting into the right-back role.

A double swap was made moments later, with Elliott List and new signing, Nesta Guinness-Walker, being introduced in place of Vadaine Oliver and Harvey White.

With ten minutes of the ninety remaining, the away end at the DW Stadium erupted, as Stevenage took the lead after being a goal down. Boro played some nice, patient football before Finley Burns laid it off to substitute Louis Thompson who fired low and hard into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. 3-2 Stevenage.

Alex MacDonald was the next man off the bench for Stevenage, replacing Elliott List with five of the ninety to go.

Boro were doing absolutely everything they could to keep a hold of their lead late on. The fourth official indicated five minutes as the Stevenage fans behind the goal held their breath.

Alex Macdonald was doing exactly what was asked of him in injury time. A superb tackle was followed by a nutmeg as he appeared to be enjoying himself.

Eventually, after Stevenage’s incredible hard work, the referee blew his full-time whistle. Jubilation followed as Boro had picked up a superb three points on the road against tough opposition.

The side will now prepare for a return to The Lamex Stadium as Blackpool come to town.

Attendance: 8804 including 332 away supporters.