What was needed was a better performance although a win would have been nice too. 

And Stevenage definitely got the first bit, and were seven minutes away from getting the second too against Reading.

And what comes with an improved team performance is improved individual efforts too. No twos or threes in this lot.

Here's how I rated the players.

Player ratings

Stevenage (1) 1 Reading (0) 1

Murphy Cooper - 9

The star of the show against Guiseley, literally saved Stevenage's blushes then, he was just as good here. Some of the saves weren't as spectacular but they were no less important and there was more of them too. Some signing he is becoming. 

Dan Butler - 7

Reading doubled up on him at times but he stood firm for the majority of occasions. Some great tackles, always a plus in my book, and this was another dependable and solid effort.

Nathan Thompson - 8

He's been excellent in virtually every game he's played in and this was no different. He blocked, tackled and organised. It was fabulous to see him back, even if he ended up bumped and bruised and gave me heart palpitations after after challenge.

Carl Piergianni - 8

Copy and paste is something I've said a lot in my player ratings, but it's true again here. Like Thompson, the skipper was back from injury, in itself worthy of praise and a couple of marks. And like the old school warrior he is, this was a performance of typical excellence. He also won more in the air from an attacking point of view, his clever nod down for Nick Freeman in the build up to the goal one of those.

Nick Freeman - 7.5

I'm breaking my system again but been sat here for a few minutes now deciding whether I should give him an 8. He did a lot of unseen work but I also saw plenty of feet going in to pinch the ball on the press and the ball in for the assist was exquisite.

Dan Kemp - 9

Again, I don't like award high marks to goalscorers, just because they scored. Thing is, he was outstanding again. Playing as the attacking point of a midfield diamond really brings out the best in him. Was running forward, winning tackles and finding space. Brilliant.

Tyreece Simpson - 7

This had so many signs and hints of what I want to see from him. He was strong when he won the free-kick that led to the goal, bounced a lot of players away and used his strength to great effect. Needs to have better movement perhaps to get more goals but I'll take this as a starter as it will eventually lead to the other. 

Kane Smith - 7

Like Butler, he was as solid as you would expect. Helped that he was back in his familiar full-back role and he used that fact to great effect. He went forward well, played some great balls and won his tackles.

Harvey White - 7.5

In the same boat as Freeman, just shy of being an 8 but well ahead of a plain old 7. And like Freeman, he won his tackles and played plenty of balls forward. And he was in a slightly different position as part of the diamond. Usually on the left, here he was the deep playmaker in front of the defence. I wanted him to be Boro's quarterback, here he had time and space to do so.

Jamie Reid - 6

If there was one disappointment, it was him. Not that he was bad, but he didn't get a chance to truly shine. Spent too much time being the target man where, in an ideal world, he plays off a target man. Did spot one great run that got him in front of his marker but wasn't picked out. One good run and shot too but that was blocked. 

Dan Phillips - 9

He was good in the first half, he was outstanding in the second. Constantly winning tackles, he was often solely responsible for breaking up Reading attacks. First half he got forward loads too down the right. Again not the position in the diamond you would have expected but it worked. Was close, but just claims Comet Sport man of the match.

READ MORE

Much better, certainly first half - Alex Revell's reaction to the game with Reading

Stevenage were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Reading in League One - report

Stevenage 1 Reading 1 - full match recap, as it happened

Subs - List, King, Young

Needed the fresh legs but they were mostly spent defending, although List did have good run down the right flank that almost set-up Reid.

Reading's stand-out players

There were a few, they have some talented individuals and play in a manner that is very pleasing on the eye.

Jeriel Dorsett though was the big stand-out for me, like a taller Dan Phillips but who plays left-back/central defender. He helped shift the game towards Reading in the second half - strong, powerful running coupled with some good link-up play.

Overall

Speaking with Steve Watkins prior to kick-off, we agreed that a good performance was vital. One that had attacking promise and a solid base.

The return of Piergianni and Thompson had keep the defence together but for me the main reason for joy was the midfield, and where everyone started in the diamond. There was a good feel to it, a good balance and it seemed to put people into positions that helped that shine.

I'd like to see something similar against Gillingham and certainly against Orient. This formation works and with personnel coming back, the right pegs are getting inserted into the right holes.

Could/should have won but I'll take the point and the promise of more to come.