Stevenage's League One play-off hopes suffered a significant setback with a heavy 5-1 defeat away to Bolton Wanderers, but manager Alex Revell is adamant his squad will bounce back. The loss, which came after midfielder Daniel Phillips was sent off in the first half, was a tough night for Boro, but they remain in the driving seat for a top-six finish.

Despite the scoreline, Revell emphasized the team's resilience and their strong position in the table. "This group always comes through moments like this," he stated. "We're still in a brilliant position." Stevenage currently sit sixth, holding a four-point cushion over the chasing pack, with a crucial home game against Lincoln City on the horizon this Saturday.

The manager pinpointed the early red card as a pivotal moment, especially against a possession-heavy side like Bolton. "This is probably one of the worst teams to come to when you're down to 10 men," Revell acknowledged. He confirmed that Phillips, a key player with 43 appearances this season, will now face a three-game suspension for his "uncharacteristic" lack of discipline.

This suspension compounds an already challenging period, with defender Lewis Freestone also ruled out after requiring hand surgery. Revell's focus, however, is firmly on the response. He stressed the need to treat wins and losses the same way, recover quickly, and correct the mistakes from Tuesday night. For Stevenage, the path to the play-offs is still very much in their own hands, and their next performance will be a true test of their character and ambition.