Stevenage will bounce back from heavy loss - Revell

Daniel Phillips is shown a red card during Stevenage's defeat at Bolton [Getty Images]

Stevenage manager Alex Revell says they are still in a "brilliant position" in the League One play-off race despite a heavy defeat at Bolton Wanderers.

Boro were beaten 5-1 on Tuesday night after having Daniel Phillips sent off in the first half for use of the arm when the score was 2-0.

They remain sixth in League One, four points clear of Huddersfield Town and Plymouth Argyle, but face already promoted Lincoln City at home next.

"This group always comes through moments like this. We treat wins, losses, draws all the same. We have to make sure we recover, put right the wrongs of today and get ready for a brilliant game on Saturday," Revell told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"We didn't start the game right so we had to change the shape. We started to get a bit more foothold in the game and then you lose a midfielder for a lack of discipline and this is probably one of the worst teams to come to when you're down to 10 men - they use the ball so well, they've got good players.

"This doesn't define us at all. What you do is you regroup. We're still in a brilliant position. We've had two really tough away games with play-off contenders and we've taken three points from six."

Phillips has been an important player for Stevenage this season, making 43 appearances, but is now set to miss the next three games.

And his dismissal compounded the disappointment of losing Lewis Freestone during Saturday's win at Bradford City - the defender now needs an operation on his hand.

"He knows it was a huge error which has cost the team. Dan's a fantastic person to have around and that's very uncharacteristic of him," said Revell.

"Sometimes you have to face it - that can't happen on a football pitch. You give your team a real problem and that's what happened - but he's also done things this year that have been top level.

"Whenever you step on to the pitch you have to have that discipline, otherwise it costs you and it's cost him three games. He'll have to learn the hard way and watch his team-mates produce the levels that we need now from the stands."