Practice makes perfect in Stevenage late show

Posted Sunday, January 20, 2019 by PA

Stevenage manager Dino Maamria was full of praise for his side’s spirit after Luke Wilkinson’s header deep into stoppage time clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Morecambe.

Wilkinson chose the perfect moment to score his first goal of the season as he headed home a Joel Byrom corner midway through eight added minutes.

The win took Stevenage closer to the play-off pack, while Morecambe dropped to within one point of the bottom two.

Maamria said: “I love results like that and I think we deserved it at the end.

“We train the players harder than most for situations just like this. We often seem to have games that have seven or eight minutes of injury time but that training prepares us for those games and we often pick up late goals that give us results like this.

“Overall it was a game of two halves as we were outstanding in the first half and it was probably the best we have played for some time. The only downside was that we didn’t score more than we did as the game could have been over at the break.

“They came out in the second half and got back into it and you have to give them credit for the way they played, but we kept plugging away.

“We had to take a couple of players off and a couple of players on the field were struggling, like James Ball who had a really sore rib, but they showed great character and I’m delighted with the win.

“Our away form hasn’t been great this season so it is a win that will give everyone a real boost.”

Ben Kennedy’s penalty, after Steven Old fouled Michael Timlin, rewarded Stevenage’s early dominance but Kevin Ellison levelled with 20 minutes remaining.

A further eight were added and Morecambe were denied a penalty when Zak Mills was bundled over, before Wilkinson popped up to give Stevenage a dramatic victory.

Morecambe manager Jim Bentley admitted he felt “numb” after his side dropped points late on once again.

After seeing his side concede a 94th-minute goal at home for the second game in succession he said: “The first half was terrible, probably the worst we have played in 18 months, and I had to have a right go at the players at the break.

“We were much better in the second half and really got at them. We got right on top and once we got the goal back I could only really see there being one winner.

“We were on the front foot but when you don’t do your jobs at a set-piece in the 94th minute you get punished and I feel absolutely numb.

“We have let in so many late goals that it is criminal and things have got to change. We need points to get us away from the bottom end of the table and things are tough for us at the minute but we will definitely not feel sorry for ourselves and we will keep fighting.”