Stevenage boss Steve Evans has emphasised his anger at the decision from referee Bobby Madley not to send off Ethan Erhahon in the second half his side’s 0-0 draw at The LNER Stadium.
Boro travelled to Lincolnshire back in the driving seat of the League One play-off race following consecutive 1-0 wins to bounce back from a February blip. Lincoln City were also in good form so there were high expectations for this one, meaning the drab goalless draw that followed was a bit of a shock.
Evans set up in a robust system with League One top scorer Jamie Reid leading the line solo as they allowed the Imps a lot of the ball. The ex-Leeds United boss thought a point a piece was fair:
“I think there were two teams that knew it was [an important game] and I think there was a lot of cancelling out going on,” Evans said, via The Comet. “I don’t remember our goalkeeper making a saving and I know their’s certainly didn’t so that tells you a lot of it was competed in the middle of the park.
“There was lots and lots of industry and the boys gave a shift. They are unbeaten in 10 now but they’ve not played the likes of us in the last six or seven. They found it a bit more intense today to try and win.”
Evans, who was mocked pre match with a banner from the Lincoln fans, was shown a yellow card in the first half for his complaints, a moment which brough perhaps the largest cheer of the day from the home support.
Lincoln City fans make their feelings towards Steve Evans clear 😳#WeAreImps pic.twitter.com/3Ok2vBDA7J
— The Real EFL (@RealEFLSocial) March 2, 2024
He was especially frustrated in the second half as Stevenage midfielder Louis Thompson appeared to be pushed to the ground by the already booked Ethan Erhahon. There were shouts from the away bench and supporters for a second yellow, but the referee decided a talking to was enough for the 22-year-old.
On the incident Evans said: “For me, there’s a massive, massive, pivotal moment. I’m not for having a player sent off but the referee will justify why he doesn’t give a second yellow for a free-kick five yards from the box. It’s just a bad decision from the referee who I thought got around the pitch and was strong in his opinions.
“He gave me a yellow card for lifting my arms so I deserve that. Like I said, he is a strong referee but you have to issue a second yellow. It’s blatant and you saw all their players put their hands on their heads.”
It’s a result that leaves Boro where they were, in sixth place, before they host relegation-threatened Fleetwood Town on Saturday.
Writer’s View:
It’s a point that is valuable to both sides, but perhaps more so to Stevenage as the away side, and with Lincoln probably needing three points to continue their late play-off push. Boro are hoping to match or even succeed the highest finish in the club’s history this season, which is sixth in League One and they look incredibly tough to beat, which is a great attribute at this point in the season.
If they can come away from Peterborough in a week and a half’s time with at least a point, they would certainly then be considered favourites to at least make the top six, something that seemed incomprehensible two years ago.
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