Johnson: We must grow up

Gary Johnson says Cheltenham must 'grow up' if they are to have any chance of avoiding the drop after their 1-0 loss to Stevenage.

It was Johnson's second game at the helm, having started with the same result at York on Good Friday. "There have been a few home truths in the dressing room afterwards because some of them don't have that fitness or mental toughness to get on the ball," Johnson said. "It's a case of picking the right team for the next few games, but they know how I feel and they have to grow up pretty quickly now." Johnson felt a goal from Shaquille McDonald in the first half should have been allowed to stand, having seen it ruled out for an offside decision. "This has been happening all season to Cheltenham and we had 20 shots to their seven," he said. "Our goal was half a yard onside and I'd like people to see that because it's those fine margins that have cost us. "We needed quality in our shooting and that's down to mental toughness. That means you are trying to put it in to the corner, not just flashing at the ball." Stevenage boss Graham Westley was happy to see his side end a run of five without a victory as they kept their play-off push on track. "It's never easy on a Bank Holiday Monday after a match on Friday so itt was a case of putting fresh legs in, but that also disrupts the side," he said. "We made a very good start but didn't take our chances and that can cost you sometimes. We were persistent and our fresh legs paid off in the end with the penalty we were given. "Ben Kennedy worked hard to get in front of the defender, who was a bit rash. It was a clear foul to me and on balance of chances we deserved to win the game. "We put them under some real pressure and on a different day it could have been very different. "We've had a massive injury list this season and we still have some big players out. We want to get a few back to strengthen us ahead of the final five games." Substitute Kennedy kept his cool from the spot after being tripped by Jack Deaman. He stepped up to send Trevor Carson the wrong way with his penalty in the 78th minute to seal the points for Boro. They wasted a clear chance in the fourth minute with Charlie Lee tapping gently into the arms of Carson with time and space in the box. Carson made a good save to keep out Dean Wells' header in the ninth minute and Joe Hanks cleared another header from Simon Walton off the line. Cheltenham had a goal disallowed for offside in the 31st minute after McDonald raced onto Mathieu Manset's pass and beat Chris Day. McDonald had another sight of goal four minutes before the break, but he shot tamely at Day. Craig Braham-Barrett hit the post for Cheltenham in the opening minute of the second half and Will Packwood went close with a header before Roarie Deacon hit the post for Boro in stoppage time.