Manager Graham Westley bemoans Stevenage image

Stevenage boss Graham Westley has bemoaned the reputation of his side, and has suggested it could have cost them decisions this season.

Boro had two players sent off against Northampton last week, with appeals for both red cards turned down.

"We're the little non-league club that's come into the Football League and we're not fashionable," Westley told BBC Look East.

"If you're not fashionable sometimes things don't work out for you do they?"

Westley has guided his side from the Blue Square Bet Premier to the verge of the League Two play-offs within a space of 12 months, and a win against Bury on Saturday would guarantee a top-seven finish.

And the Broadhall Way boss believes the Hertfordshire club have not been given the credit they deserve.

"The boys have won what they've won the last two or three years because they work so hard," he said.

"They deserve better than the name they've been given, we're a small club, bigger clubs get bigger PR and obviously people can buy into it.

"I think in these situations you play the longer game, get your heads down, take things on the chin and in the long run people work out who you are.

"Stevenage is a hard working football club that is disciplined, organised and progressive.

"The sooner people stop listening to the voices that want to bring us down, they'll start to appreciate what we're really all about."