Stockport boss Dave Challinor fumes at his side’s display in loss to Stevenage

Dave Challinor was furious with his Stockport’s performance as they fell to an underwhelming 3-1 defeat against Sky Bet League One play-off rivals Stevenage.

Stockport defender Joseph Olowu had a header cleared off the line by Dan Sweeney before Stevenage attacker Jamie Reid rattled a post with a low drive as both teams went close to opening the scoring early on.

Stevenage took a 22nd-minute lead when winger Chem Campbell curled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box, and went further ahead after 52 minutes as Jamie Reid prodded home from close range.

Kyle Wootton momentarily halved the deficit with a powerful header, but three minutes later, Louis Thompson sealed victory for Stevenage with an expert lob.

After the match, Challinor vented his frustration at his side’s defeat.

He said: “At the moment, on different days, some players are making the game look really difficult.

“It is a simple game that we all try and make difficult as coaches, but you have to do the basics well.

“Quite clearly at the moment, based on the goals we conceded today, we’re not doing the basics well enough.

“The latter part of the game and some parts of the second half were better, but it’s easy to be better at 1-3 down.

“The game needed to look like that at 0-0, and it did not. We were miles too slow in the first half and need to be far more consistent with how we shut down games.

“We managed to create bits of good play in the second half, but the goals we conceded absolutely killed us.

“We have to be able to deal with what’s happened today. The players need to question themselves and should question each other. We all have the same objectives and we all have the same goal here.

“In order for that to come to fruition, you need to deal with things quickly.”

Stevenage boss Alex Revell was delighted with his players’ performance, especially their quick response to Stockport’s goal.

He said: “Stockport are going to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. So I think it was a top performance to beat them.

“I thought we were brilliant with and without the ball today and the win was thoroughly deserved.

“If you are the manager on the other side for our third goal, you are not happy at all.

“But I was delighted because of the reaction. There is no better reaction than scoring straight from the kick-off.

“We’ve played players today that have been out for six months. Louis Thompson has come back. I’m pleased with the energy and drive he showed to get on to the ball and the calmness he has shown for the finish.

“We are getting better and keep evolving as a team and today this was a fantastic win for us.”