Stevenage must not let games 'drift - Revell

Alex Revell is in his second spell as Stevenage boss

Stevenage boss Alex Revell urged his players not to allow games to "drift" after missing out on the chance to reclaim top spot in League One.

Boro were beaten 1-0 at Reading on Thursday evening, their second defeat in three games, having only lost once in their first 10.

It left them fourth in the table, but still only two points behind leaders Stockport County.

"The work rate will never be in question with this group, it's that nous, that knowhow, sometimes of understanding when a game is just drifting. How do we change that?" Revell told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"We need to get that into our game but we've got a long time now until our next game and we have to iron out how we improve and get back to winning ways."

Stevenage fell behind to an early Charlie Savage goal at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, although there was a suggestion that the ball went out of play in the build-up.

And the closest they came to an equaliser was when Gassan Ahadme hit the bar in the second half.

"The second half was more like us. First half, you can't start games (like that) and continue to let a game just drift. You have to take it by the scruff of the neck and make it our type of game and we didn't do that," said Revell.

"We struggled to get any momentum in the first half, we didn't get going at all. The second was much better in terms of intensity and winning the ball back.

"We had a huge chance to get back on level terms and we don't take it - football is about moments and if you don't take those opportunities like they did, you're going to struggle to win games.

"In previous weeks, when we've had those opportunities we've taken them - big moments in games, you have to act on (them) and we didn't."

With their game against Bolton Wanderers postponed because of international calls, Stevenage now have a 15-day break before resuming the campaign at home to Doncaster Rovers on 22 November.