Stevenage manager Alex Revell slammed his side’s performance as “unacceptable” after they fell to a 2-0 loss at home to Cambridge United in League One. 

It was a second win on the bounce for the U’s following their victory over Wigan Athletic by the same score, ending nine games without a success. 

Korey Smith scored on 32 minutes before Sullay Kaikai wrapped things up on 90 but it was the manner of the loss that angered the Boro boss. 

“We were unrecognisable, outfought [and lacking] a desire to win first contact or second balls,” said Revell. 

“It's extremely disappointing [and far] from the levels that have been set. 

“If you don't look after the ball and you keep turning it over, you give teams oxygen to breathe and we did that. 

“We never got in a rhythm, never got going and just fell way short everywhere. When you do that, you don’t win games, simple as that. 

“It’s unacceptable. We don't get out fought here. That’s the biggest thing. This is our ground and we have a way of playing. 

“You can be better in possession and things like that but you don't get outfought. 

"You ask players to look at the their own individual performances and there's not one that can look in themselves in the mirror and say ‘I've absolutely been at my best, I've given it all’. 

“Second-half we played backwards too often. We want to go forward with the ball and we were demanding it to go forward [on the bench] but we went backwards and that allowed them to get back into their shape and be extremely difficult to break down. 

“Just not good enough and we have to make sure it never happens again.” 

The performance was also the hot topic for Cambridge manager Garry Monk, although for him it was how pleasing the effort was in getting the monkey of the first wins off their back. 

He said: “These are not hanging on wins that we've had. We've been able to get the points we want but putting performances on with it just increases the confidence. 

“The performances have been really, really pleasing and I'm delighted for everyone. The away end was rocking. 

“I just thought we had great spirit, the desire and the determination to really fight for each other and run.  

“And then at certain moments, when we needed quality, we produced it. 

“We created quite a few good opportunities and we took our moments. It was well deserved. 

“That's the pleasing bit. We would have taken any type of win but the fact we've backed them up with really strong performances, that bodes well. 

“With this it just shows, not only our fans, but it shows the players themselves [what they are capable of].”