A performance was needed after the no-show in Exeter - and Stevenage got it in the 0-0 draw at Wigan Athletic.

OK, the lack of chances and forward play is a worry still but this was a hugely impressive display on the road, frustrating Wigan and rarely giving them a sniff.

My thoughts on how the individuals performed.

Player ratings

Wigan Athletic (0) 0 Stevenage (0) 0

Murphy Cooper - 7

Only really had a couple of shots to save but he did so what you going to do? Has to get a decent mark.

Luther Wildin - 6

One or two sloppy passes at the back, one or two sloppy passes going forward but he did defend well as part of a solid defensive unit.

Dan Butler - 7

Had a few moments of iffyness in the first half but second half he really grew into the game, no more so than when his often nemesis, Dion Rankine, came on. For once, this round went solidly to the full-back.

Nathan Thompson - 6

He was always going to have moments where he was less than solid but considering he was brought back in for just a first league start of the season, there was a lot of good things. His experience got him through and match fitness should help anything else.

Carl Piergianni - 7

Hard not to underplay just what an important player he is for Boro. The perfect captain, think Martin Johnson in England's World Cup winning rugby team. Leads by example with his performances and his action and words. The linchpin in this clean sheet.

Dan Kemp - 6

It just didn't come off for the lad today. Tried to win free-kicks, got done for handball. Tried to pinch the ball of a defender, it would run away from him. Even when he tried to play a one-two with Roberts, a defender got in the way. One shot in the second half didn't test the Wigan keeper enough. Still, he was involved and I'd rather that and it doesn't come off than not involved at all.

Jordan Roberts - 8

Getting better and more consistent this season. Here he was busy, leading the press, getting his foot in and almost making things happen from an attacking point of view. Would still like to see him score more or create more but if this level of endeavour is the only thing we get all season, there won't be many complaints.

Harvey White - 7

When this lad puts together all aspects of his game, it'll be a 10 out of 10. Tackled and defended superbly but this time he was let down by his set-piece delivery. Been exemplary all season, typically he chose here for it go awry.

Jamie Reid - 6

A positive is the 83 minutes he got under his belt, the frustrations though were there for all to see. One chance after two minutes and then not a sniff for the next 81, despite all the huff and puff. He's desperate for that first goal of the season and the longer it takes, the longer the passes just don't go to the place he wants, the more frustrated he'll get. Needs to relax and let it happen.

Dan Phillips - 8

Should he have got a nine? Maybe, but that second half was a joy to behold. Constantly tackling, constantly jockeying, constantly looking to try and make something happen and putting Wigan under pressure. Played in an attacking midfield role and really shines there. Defenders and defensive midfielders will not fancy playing against him when he is in this mood. Comet Sport man of the match.

Louis Thompson - 7

Loves the graft at the coal face and was involved in plenty of tackling, often with success. Like others he didn't do enough from a creative and attacking point but he was constantly involved and worked well with both White and Phillips.

Subs - Simpson

Only one brought on as Revell tried to keep the continuity. Too late to make a difference.

READ MORE: Improved Stevenage get 0-0 draw at Wigan Athletic - match report

Wigan stand-out players

Callum McManaman stood out but not really for good reasons, that tackle on Roberts was cynical and nasty. But he and Silko Thomas were an interesting sub plot from a tactical and formation point of view. Dale Taylor and Toby Sibbick were involved plenty as was Luke Chambers in the first half.

Overall

I enjoyed the performance and I got the response I wanted.

That said, let's not kid ourselves this was the finished article but there was plenty to smile at, plenty to warm the cockles, especially after what had happened at Exeter three days before.

Stevenage defended superbly and now just need to get that level of organisation and defence married up with a threat going forward.

This is a start though.