Three goals in five minutes of extra-time saw Stevenage turn a nervy Lamex Stadium into party central - as the U18s advanced in the FA Youth Cup against Cheltenham Town.

A first-half goal from Lenny Brown looked to be sending Boro through but they were pegged back in the seventh minute of stoppage time, Tom King with the goal for the Robins.

However with penalties looming, Brown bundled in a second and two superb finishes from Taye Cadman sealed a 4-1 success.

They will now play back at the Lamex against either Exeter City or AFC Dunstable, who play their second-round match on Tuesday.

Stevenage named the same side that came past MK Dons 4-0 in round one.

In fact, the only changes came on the bench with Zack Howell and Tatenda Mutanga making way for Divine Okwara and Demi Oladiran.

The first half had a lot of similarities with that win up at Stadium MK.

The opening saw Boro a little slow off the blocks and Cheltenham had a couple of early corners that Alfie Thornett needed to put his imposing frame in the way of before they got to Max Woodford.

In fact the keeper was only called into action once, a free-kick from a central position about 25 yards out hit straight at him.

But like the game up the M1, 20 minutes in, Boro suddenly started to rouse from their lethargy.

Now there were good passes and good movement, Alfie Bates in particular marauding forward from right-back on a couple of occasions.

One of those runs saw him get it back off Brown 12 yards out but he scuffed and hooked his shot wide.

Frank Norris was enjoying a good game, his hold-up play just part of it, and when he did get free, he fired one effort low and just wide of the far post, while another went straight at Jude Franks.

Tanil Salik had been outstanding in the win at MK and while this was a quieter night for him, he did have one sight of goal but couldn't wrap his foot round it and sent it wide.

Thornett then lent his presence at the other end, but a header from a corner in a crowd of players lacked power.

It didn't matter though as from the goal kick, Cheltenham played it short, made a hash of things and Brown stroked the ball into an almost empty net.

The similarities with the first round continued in the second half with Boro needing to defend more.

Sopuru Obieri nodded over from near the goal-line and there was some good defending from the likes of Bate and Oliver Reeve.

There was a big minute in the game with 17 to go.

First Boro thought they had scored, Norris getting in front of the keeper to meet a corner and nod home.

The linesman flagged though and it was disallowed and immediately Cheltenham countered.

Tom King turned inside Reeve and his shot beat Woodford.

However, Bates was there to clear off the line.

King was causing havoc for the visitors but a run down the right and a cross was superbly defended by substitute Eddie Wright.

Harry Tustin almost forced extra-time as the clock hit 90 but hit his effort at Woodford and it seemed as if Boro would survive.

However, when the ball was played in after a throw, Boro failed to get their clearance any distance and from the edge of the box, King this time fired through the crowd and into the corner.

The first period of the extra 30 minutes was full of tired bodies and not much quality

However, suddenly Boro sprung to life, led by Cadman.

He spun his marker to go in behind the Cheltenham defence and although his ball in ended with O'Keefe and Norris going it together, it spun across goal and Brown got there before the keeper.

Cadman then scored a truly wonderful solo effort two minutes later, twisting and turning and rifling the ball inside the near post.

He repeated the trick moments later and suddenly through the rain, there was nothing but sunshine for Boro.

FA Youth Cup match details

Stevenage (1) 4 Cheltenham Town (0) 1 aet

Stevenage: Woodford, Bates, Reeve, England, Thornett, Henry (Wright 75), O'Keefe, Doherty (Cadman 90+6), Norris (Oladiran 113), Brown, Salik (Vegh 61).

Subs (not used): Barnes, Impey, Okwara, Oladiran.

Goals: Brown 35, 107, Cadman 109, 112

Booked: Brown 81, Vegh 90+6

 

Cheltenham Town: Franks, Wainwright, Caple, Burgess, Walters, F.King (Rexworthy 75), Shumba (Olateju 90+3), Tustin, Obieri, King, Bailey (Carter 81, Croose 97).

Subs (not used): Robinson, McNamee, Folley. 

Goals: T.King 90+7

Booked: 

 

Added time: 0+6+2+0

Referee: Craig Barnett (Basildon)

Attendance: 516

 

Stevenage three stars: Ellis Bates, Frank Norris, Lenny Brown

Cheltenham three stars: Tom King, Harry Tustin, Cameron Walters