Michael Bostwick dealt a potentially terminal blow to Crawley's play-off challenge with a goal against his former club at Broadfield Stadium today.

The midfielder threaded a right-foot shot through a crowd of players and past an unsighted Simon Rayner in the 41st minute to give the sixth-placed visitors a lead they just about deserved.

Reds lacked inspiration, particuarly up front, and only carried a tangible threat from set pieces although Stevenage keeper Chris Day only had routine saves to make in a disjointed first half.