Neil Banfield felt the two late goals for Stevenage against Northampton Town were justification for all of their hard work on the training pitch.

Dan Kemp put Boro in front on 89 minutes before Jamie Reid sealed the 2-0 win in stoppage time, a first league success at home for Boro since October 1.

And the lateness of the goals was made sweeter by the fact the hosts had dominated possession throughout, helped by the 28th dismissal of Tom Eaves for two yellow cards.

Banfield, who was doing the post-match press duties because Stevenage manager Alex Revell had been issued a straight red card during the half-time break, said: “Our hearts were in our mouths but I think we deserved the victory.

"I think we’ve shown in the last two games that some of our football has been outstanding.

"The players work hard and they got their just rewards.

“It’s always difficult to work against a well-organised team, and they were very well-organised. But you have to be patient and you have to move them around.

“In the end we got our chances and we took them. It was a great win in the end.”

Cobblers boss Jon Brady cut a frustrated figure after seeing his side slip into the bottom four with the defeat.

He said: "It just sums us up at the moment. Injuries, red cards, and trying to fight your way through games.

“Tom has been really naive. He knows he’s on a booking and he shouldn’t go in for that second one. We’ve given ourselves a mountain to climb thereafter for 62 minutes.

“For probably 58 minutes of that the boys were brilliant and the effort they gave, and the organisation, was incredible.

“It was just a lapse of concentration to concede, then obviously they got the second because we’re trying to go for it. It was a really tough evening.

“It’s just difficult because you’ve got to set yourselves up in a block and defend for your lives.

“You know you’re going to suffer with the injuries we’ve got. We’ve constantly got 11 to 13 out.

"It’s hugely difficult but all I can do is praise the players who are playing at the moment as their effort and application as a 10-man side was unbelievable.

“The resolve has to be strong and it was strong, but we’re suffering. For various reasons we’ve slipped down but there are 28 games to go and we have to remain positive.”