Stevenage 2-0 Kettering

Long has scored four goals in his last three games for Stevenage

Stacy Long's second-half brace was enough to keep Stevenage top of the Blue Square Premier.

Borough had the better of the first half and would have been in front had it not been for James Jennings' goal-line clearance from Chris Beardsley.

But they finally broke through when Tim Sills nodded the ball down to Long, who fired home from outside the box.

And as Kettering sought an equaliser, Long finished off a Stevenage break by rounding keeper Nathan Abbey to score.

Up until that point, deep in stoppage time, the Poppies were always in what was a full bloodied and competitive contest, although they were unable to force a serious save out of Borough keeper Chris Day.

The closest they came was when Jordan Hadfield's strike from 12 yards sailed over the bar on the stroke of half-time.

Stevenage's victory means they are now unbeaten in 15 home league games this season and remain top by a point from long-time leaders Oxford.

Stevenage: Day, Henry, Bostwick, Ashton (Byrom 21), Roberts, Cole, Long, Bridges, Boylan (Vincenti 75), Odubade (Sills 61), Beardsley.
Subs Not Used: Bayes, Albrighton.

Booked: Henry.

Goals: Long 63, 90.

Kettering: Abbey, Eaden, Dempster, Roper, Jennings (Taylor 84), Dance, Wrack (Appiah 64), Boucaud (Hadfield 21), Noubissie, Kelly, Marna.

Subs Not Used: Cooper, Thomas.

Booked: Jennings, Hadfield.

Att: 2,136.

Ref: S Creighton (Reading).