Stevenage moved up to second in League One with victory over Walsall.

The hosts went ahead as David Gray's long pass was well controlled by Robin Shroot, who fired across David Grof into the bottom corner.

George Bowerman's header from Jamie Paterson's terrific cross drew Walsall level just before the hour mark.

Greg Tansey's 30-yard strike into the top corner put Stevenage in front again and the midfielder set up Lucas Akins for a back-post volley to seal the win.

VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Stevenage manager Gary Smith told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"I'm very, very pleased. After the disappointment of drawing the previous three home games and not being able to give our fans the opportunity to enjoy a victory at home, the guys were desperate to make that happen.

"I thought it was a really good game - of course, there's always emotions for your own team because you want to get in front and you want to win the game, but looking back on it, there was some very good football played by both sides.

"They did well for their goal but I'm disappointed because there was a missed challenge and then an easy cross that was worked in and they were back on level terms, but we showed good character to get back in front again."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Stevenage

  • 16 Day
  • 02 Gray
  • 05 Ashton
  • 14 Roberts
  • 22 Comminges
  • 06 Tansey
  • 07 Grant Booked
  • 32 Shroot (Risser - 89' )
  • 11 Akins
  • 15 Freeman (Dunne - 76' )
  • 24 Agyemang (Haber - 61' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Arnold
  • 29 Ngala
  • 08 Dunne
  • 17 Ball
  • 25 Risser
  • 09 Haber
  • 23 Lopez

Walsall

  • 01 Grof
  • 04 Butler
  • 05 Holden
  • 14 Purkiss
  • 26 Taylor (Taundry - 81' )
  • 06 Featherstone
  • 08 Cuvelier
  • 11 Hemmings (Grigg - 57' )
  • 24 Baxendale (Williams - 78' )
  • 10 Paterson
  • 17 Bowerman

Substitutes

  • 13 Jones
  • 02 Taundry
  • 22 Downing
  • 16 Jones
  • 09 Grigg
  • 15 Taylor
  • 19 Williams
Ref: Adcock
Att: 2,634

Match Stats

Shots

13 7

On target

7 5

Corners

6 3

Fouls

8 8

Live Text Commentary

95:08 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +2:21

Anthony Grant gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Florent Cuvelier. Richard Taundry takes the direct free kick.

90:00 +2:21

Anthony Grant concedes a free kick for a foul on Florent Cuvelier. Richard Taundry takes the direct free kick.

86:53 Substitution

Substitution Robin Shroot goes off and Oliver Risser comes on.

86:53

Anthony Grant challenges Florent Cuvelier unfairly and gives away a free kick. Florent Cuvelier takes the free kick. Free kick awarded for a foul by Jamie Paterson on Anthony Grant. Chris Day takes the free kick.

85:48

The assist for the goal came from Greg Tansey.

85:48 Goal scored

Goal - Lucas Akins - Stevenage 3 - 1 Walsall Lucas Akins finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal. Stevenage 3-1 Walsall.

84:28

George Bowerman is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Chris Day.

82:32

Will Grigg has an effort at goal from outside the box which misses left.

81:12

Unfair challenge on Anthony Grant by Will Grigg results in a free kick. Anthony Grant takes the free kick.

80:15 Substitution

Substitution Andy Taylor goes off and Richard Taundry comes on.

79:04 Substitution

Substitution Richard Taundry comes on in place of Andy Taylor.

77:55 Substitution

Substitution James Baxendale leaves the field to be replaced by Aaron Williams.

77:55

The official flags George Bowerman offside. Indirect free kick taken by Chris Day.

76:58

Greg Tansey concedes a free kick for a foul on Florent Cuvelier. Nicky Featherstone restarts play with the free kick.

76:27

The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by David Grof.

75:55

Lucas Akins sends in a cross, Dean Holden manages to make a clearance.

75:10 Substitution

Substitution James Dunne comes on in place of Luke Freeman.

74:27

George Bowerman takes a shot. Chris Day makes a save. The ball is crossed by Ben Purkiss.

74:03

Lucas Akins produces a cross, clearance made by Ben Purkiss.

73:41

Luke Freeman takes a shot. Save made by David Grof.

73:07

The offside flag is raised against George Bowerman. Chris Day restarts play with the free kick.

71:58

The assist for the goal came from Anthony Grant.

71:58 Goal scored

Goal - Greg Tansey - Stevenage 2 - 1 Walsall A goal is scored by Greg Tansey from outside the penalty area to the top left corner of the goal. Stevenage 2-1 Walsall.

71:30

The ball is swung over by Lucas Akins, clearance by Ben Purkiss.

65:19

David Gray gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on James Baxendale. Jamie Paterson sends in a cross, James Baxendale takes a shot. Save by Chris Day.

65:19

James Baxendale fouled by David Gray, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie Paterson restarts play with the free kick.

64:54

Unfair challenge on James Baxendale by Greg Tansey results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Nicky Featherstone.

62:42

Shot from just outside the area by Luke Freeman misses to the left of the target.

60:38 Substitution

Substitution Patrick Agyemang goes off and Marcus Haber comes on.

60:13

Robin Shroot takes a shot. David Grof makes a save.

58:46

The assist for the goal came from Jamie Paterson.

58:46 Goal scored

Goal - George Bowerman - Stevenage 1 - 1 Walsall George Bowerman finds the back of the net with a headed goal from deep inside the penalty box. Stevenage 1-1 Walsall.

58:30

The ball is crossed by Jamie Paterson,

58:09

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Jamie Paterson played to the near post.

54:48 Substitution

Substitution Will Grigg on for Ashley Hemmings.

54:48

Lucas Akins takes a shot. Corner taken by Luke Freeman from the right by-line. Robin Shroot takes a shot. Save by David Grof. Corner taken right-footed by Greg Tansey. Robin Shroot takes a shot from inside the box clearing the bar.

53:51

The referee gives a free kick against James Baxendale for handball. Free kick taken by Chris Day.

53:19

Corner taken right-footed by Jamie Paterson from the left by-line, Jon Ashton makes a clearance.

51:20

Corner taken by Luke Freeman, save made by David Grof.

47:35

The referee blows for offside against Robin Shroot. Indirect free kick taken by David Grof.

46:15

Greg Tansey sends in a cross.

45:01

The game restarts for the second half.

45:00 +1:05 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

45:00 +0:39

A cross is delivered by Ashley Hemmings, save made by Chris Day.

43:25 Booking

Booking Anthony Grant receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

43:00

Anthony Grant fouled by James Baxendale, the ref awards a free kick. Jon Ashton takes the free kick.

41:01

Shot from just outside the penalty area by Greg Tansey misses to the left of the target.

40:21

The offside flag is raised against Mark Roberts. Free kick taken by David Grof.

40:07

Greg Tansey takes a shot. Blocked by Florent Cuvelier.

39:42

Corner taken by Robin Shroot from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Jamie Paterson.

38:11

The ball is delivered by Luke Freeman, save made by David Grof.

36:40

Dean Holden concedes a free kick for a foul on Patrick Agyemang. Greg Tansey crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance by Andy Butler.

35:34

Robin Shroot produces a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area and misses left.

34:09

Unfair challenge on Lucas Akins by Andy Taylor results in a free kick. Luke Freeman takes the free kick.

32:49

Shot by Jamie Paterson from outside the box goes over the net.

30:57

Ben Purkiss takes a shot. Anthony Grant gets a block in. Jamie Paterson takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post. Dean Holden fouled by Mark Roberts, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie Paterson takes the direct free kick.

30:28

Miguel Comminges gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on James Baxendale. Free kick crossed by Ashley Hemmings.

30:00

Greg Tansey is penalised for a handball. Nicky Featherstone takes the indirect free kick.

28:52

James Baxendale takes a shot. Chris Day makes a save.

27:56

The ball is sent over by Lucas Akins, Nicky Featherstone makes a clearance.

27:01

A cross is delivered by David Gray, Andy Butler manages to make a clearance.

26:30

Lucas Akins delivers the ball.

25:46

Florent Cuvelier delivers the ball.

24:44

Lucas Akins delivers the ball.

23:34

Assist on the goal came from David Gray.

23:34 Goal scored

Goal - Robin Shroot - Stevenage 1 - 0 Walsall Robin Shroot finds the net with a goal from just inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Stevenage 1-0 Walsall.

21:39

Luke Freeman challenges Jamie Paterson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Ben Purkiss.

19:11

Corner taken right-footed by Robin Shroot to the near post, Ben Purkiss makes a clearance. Effort from the edge of the penalty box by Luke Freeman goes wide of the right-hand upright.

19:11

Robin Shroot takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Ben Purkiss. Effort from the edge of the box by Luke Freeman goes wide of the right-hand upright.

17:49

The ball is swung over by Ben Purkiss. Foul by Ashley Hemmings on David Gray, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Chris Day.

16:39

Patrick Agyemang is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Dean Holden.

16:04

Greg Tansey fouled by Florent Cuvelier, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Jon Ashton.

12:45

Corner taken right-footed by Robin Shroot from the left by-line to the near post, Andy Butler manages to make a clearance.

11:14

The assistant referee signals for offside against James Baxendale. Jon Ashton takes the indirect free kick.

4:43

Greg Tansey crosses the ball.

1:29

The offside flag is raised against Patrick Agyemang. David Grof restarts play with the free kick.

0:47

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ashley Hemmings on Anthony Grant. Anthony Grant restarts play with the free kick.

0:00

The game begins.

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