EVANS LEFT INCENSED AT 'CLEAR' RED CARDS

STEVENAGE manager Steve Evans claimed Northampton should have had two players sent off during yesterday’s draw between the two promotion chasers at Sixfields.

- Thomas Sage

Louis Appere’s early opener was cancelled out by Jamie Reid 18 minutes from time as both remained in the top three.

“The goal after five minutes makes it’s incredibly tough,” said Evans. “There was quite a strong wind and we made a decision to defend it in the first half, but it looks like it was a mix-up for their goal.

“They had better possession and we struggled for fluency, but I made a call to change the system at half-time and it worked because the second half was our best performance since I’ve come in.

“We made a really good side look very average and they’re not average, but we laid siege to their goal. There have been words attributed to us from managers in recent weeks, but we have just switched off and concentrated on ourselves. Everyone said we would lose because they have better players, but let the second-half performance speak for itself.”