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Stevenage boss Steve Evans insists they deserve to be challenging the "giant" clubs of League One as the race for play-off places hots up.

Boro needed a stoppage-time goal by Terence Vancooten to come away from bottom club Carlisle with a 2-2 draw.

But they are only one point below sixth-placed Oxford United, having won promotion from League Two last season.

"We are built on spirit, we fight, that's what we do," Evans told 91�ȱ� Three Counties Radio.

"In fairness to Carlisle United supporters, the owners and players, they've lost a lot of games by an odd goal and are much better than being a bottom-end of League One side, for sure - I knew it would be tough.

"It's credit to the players that here we are, seven games to go, we're a point outside the play-offs, we're in amongst giants of clubs and we deserve to be there for what we've contributed through the whole season."

Stevenage were without defender Carl Piergianni, whose partner was due to give birth, and striker Jamie Reid, who made a goalscoring international debut for Northern Ireland against Romania.

Former Leeds and Gillingham boss Evans said he had not recognised his team for the first 60 minutes at Brunton Park.

"Over the 90 (minutes), we were the fortunate team to go away with a point," the Scot continued.

Stevenage will be at home to third-placed Bolton Wanderers on Friday and still have to play Barnsley and Oxford, who are also in the promotion picture.

"It makes the Easter weekend special, doesn't it? Bolton Wanderers at home. We're looking forward to a full Lamex (Stadium), it will be bursting at the seams," Evans added.

"And we're looking forward to going to Charlton on (Easter) Monday then, another big, huge club.

"We deserve to be with Bolton, Barnsley, Peterborough. Over 46 games, if we don't make the play-offs, we'll have come up short and we'll regroup and go again.

"My heart bursts with pride about the players that work with me."