THE last time Accrington Stanley beat Stevenage David Cameron was six months into the job as Prime Minister, Brexit hadn’t been invented and Fabio Capello was still England manager.

In that time the Hertfordshire side have denied the Reds a place in a play-off final and been the team they failed to score against on the final day of last season to miss out on automatic promotion.

Now a third successive league defeat for the first time in almost two years can also be added to the list for the club rapidly becoming Stanley’s bogey team.

Events at the Wham Stadium had a sense of inevitability about them, with John Coleman’s team dominating in atrocious conditions but unable to score.

Boro struck late on and saw out the game to win 1-0.

Coleman had called for more attacking threat ahead of kick off and restored the well again Shay McCartan to the side in a 4-3-3 system.

It almost had an immediate impact, with visiting goalkeeper Jamie Jones forced to punch away an effort from Jordan Clark inside the first five minutes before twice routinely saving from the same player.

Stevenage’s only real attacking contribution came earlier still, with Harry McKirdy tackled by Matty Pearson in the area before the same defender blocked from Ben Kennedy - but largely it was one way traffic.

Full back Zak Vyner was back from injury for Stanley and went close to his first goal for the club when his 20 yard shot was deflected narrowly wide of the far post.

They went closer still on the half hour when McCartan slalomed through standing water in the penalty area only to see Jones race off his line and divert his shot onto the roof of the net.

Omar Beckles was next to try his luck, heading a Sean McConville corner wide before Scott Brown’s cross slid just wide with no home player able to apply a finishing touch.

The half time score of 0-0 was all too familiar, with that scoreline costing Stanley a top three spot back in May.

The second half was more even, with Stevenage’s Dale Gorman curling a strike at Elliot Parish in the Stanley goal as the visitors enjoyed their best spell and capitalised.

The worst of the snow and sleet might have subsided by the second period but the home defence was left frozen 20 minutes from time when Parish elected not to come off his line to collect a long ball.

Matt Godden was alert and his low strike skidded under the Stanley keeper and into the net.

It might have been worse too, with Darren Sarll’s side only denied a second by last ditch defending in the box moments later.

Stanley needed a response but Jones was equal to their efforts, saving a header from substitute Billy Kee before making a brilliant stop to deny another replacement in John O’Sullivan.

The home team’s desperation was summed up by O’Sullivan going down in the box late on to try to win a penalty but no decision was forthcoming.

The final whistle confirmed defeat and ensured that the Reds now haven’t beaten Stevenage in their last eight attempts.