STEVENAGE boss Steve Evans’s half-time hairdryer was the catalyst for his side’s impressive 2-1 comeback victory over Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

The North Herts’ outfit moved into second place in League Two following two second-half goals by attacker Jamie Reid after the visitors went into the break 1-0 down to a Rod McDonald header.

The tough Scot tore a strip off his side during the interval, unleashing his first-half frustrations after being booked by referee Tom Nield for dissent in a poor opening 45 minutes for Stevenage.

However, his fearsome bawling sparked his team into life, to make it five wins from seven games to banish memories of their first defeat of the season last weekend at Salford.

When asked if he had administered the first tongue lashing of his six-month reign, the charismatic Evans admitted: “Yes, I would,” adding, “I would call it a brash conversation with my team. It only lasted about 20 seconds – but they knew. They knew.”

Boro captain Carl Piergianni added: “It was needed.”

Elsewhere in League Two an own goal by Jordan Turnbull and an excellent strike from Paul Smyth gave Leyton Orient a 2-0 home win against Tranmere.

Barrow remained in third place despite losing 3-1 to Northampton at Sixfields, while fourth place Salford were frustrated after allowing two leads to slip as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Kevin Betsy’s Crawley.

Promoted Grimsby continued their climb up the table after extending their unbeaten run to five league games with a 2-0 win at Newport.

Ten-man Gillingham produced a spirited performance to secure a point from a goalless draw with Swindon at Priestfield

While at the other end of the table, Rochdale are still waiting for their first league win of the season after they blew a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Carlisle, to leave them bottom with only two points.