The silver lining was that they are through to the second round of the FA Cup - that was a rare glimmer of light on a dark day for Stevenage.

The truth of the matter is they were way too close to going out to Northern Premier League Guiseley, 88 places below the League One side.

Jamie Reid put Boro in front on 53 minutes but Will Longbottom equalised seven minutes from time.

No replays this year meant extra-time and after no further goals left the two tied at 1-1, penalties was needed.

And here, Guiseley were the width of Murphy Cooper's palm from going through, the keeper denying Lebrun Mbeka and then saving from Jameel Ible to send Boro through.

That was not good enough for manager Alex Revell.

"It was nowhere near the way we wanted it to be," said the Boro boss. "The aim at the start of the day was to be in the next round, but not in that fashion.

"We were tested before the game with Luther Wildin pulling out in the warm-up so that obviously changed the way we were going to set-up. 

"For Guiseley, this was their cup final, as it 100 per cent should be, and in the second half they were putting lots of numbers forward and making it difficult. 

"It's not the performance that we wanted. We wanted to come and win well, especially here in front of everyone watching, but it doesn't always work like that in this cup." 

That injury to Wildin left them with only three fit defenders and having to make a drastic late reshuffle.

That was not the whole reason for their performance though.

Revell said: "Without the people we've [already got missing] and then you have to change it again, it does affect you for sure because you're playing people in positions that they've not played. 

"But what you want when you play these is you have to move the ball quick and you have to play forward and you have to battle and win first contact and second balls and all those little bits. 

"We weren’t good enough at them. 

"We had lots of crosses but we didn't arrive in the box with any real endeavour to go and score a goal. You have to have that at any level. 

"We have to look through that now and pick the bones out of it. Yes, we're in the next round, but it's not where we want to be."

 

"When you come to these games, you can overthink them beforehand for sure because you know the importance of them.  

"It’s huge for the club and we've had some amazing times in the FA Cup. We want to produce more but sometimes, when you want it so bad, maybe that might not come across at times.

"I wanted us to perform but it’s about us going through. We know how hard these games, we saw Huddersfield lose last night [to Tamworth]. 

"It only takes one moment in these games, a set-piece or whatever it is. 

"Ultimately we are in the next round and we’ll see who we get in the draw [on Sunday]." 

And he says the work to put things right will continue, despite the latest injury set-backs. 

"No, we won't be taking a couple of days off," said Revell. "We need to go through that because we need to get better. 

"We’re in a difficult position but hopefully there might be some good news on Monday with one, and potentially two. 

"Hopefully we get them back and then we can build for Saturday."