Steve Evans reacts to Stevenage's draw with Carlisle United

Evans blasted “shambolic” defending of the Blues’ two goals in the 2-2 draw.

The home side’s manager felt his side should also have killed the game with the number of chances they created.

Evans did reserve praise for United’s ex-Stevenage keeper Jokull Andresson, but was otherwise fuming about the way he believed the hosts gifted a point to Paul Simpson’s side.

“We played very well today, [but] we gave away two of the worst goals that a team can concede, and a team deserving of nothing get a share of the spoils,” said Evans.

“My dressing room is flat and they’ll stay flat, because we need to learn, and we do learn, win, lose or draw.

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“In spite of a good performance, individuals have to take responsibility…they’re lucky tonight because I won’t name them, but it’s two shambolic pieces of defending.

“[The first Carlisle goal] is offside. But the goalkeeper [Taye Ashby-Hammond] should deal with it. He’s further back than Sainsbury’s. He should deal with it. But he’s a young goalkeeper that we think highly of and he’ll learn from it I’m sure.

“We had chance after chance – hit the woodwork, off the line. Jamie Reid gets two goals, so he takes away some plaudits but he should have had five or six.

“That’s not the standards you need at this level of the game.”

Reid fired Stevenage ahead in the 15th minute only for Sean Maguire quickly to hit back for Carlisle.

Evans claimed keeper Taye Ashby-Hammond was further back than Sainsbury's as Stevenage failed to prevent Sean Maguire scoring (Image: Barbara Abbott)

Another Reid goal put the League One table-toppers on course for victory before Joe Garner headed United to a 2-2 draw in the 90th minute.

“We’re 1-0 up, and if we get the second we win by as big a margin as we possibly have all season,” added Evans in an interview on the club's YouTube channel.

“But the [Maguire] goal is a shambles and it gave the Carlisle lads some oxygen when they were struggling to find any, not just because of the heat but because of their performance.

“Second half, apart from the odd ball [from Carlisle] over the top, I think it’s domination, chance after chance, entry into the final third after entry into the final third, and we make some clear-cut chances.

“In the first half, [Charlie] McNeill should score, Reid should score, in the second half [Carl] Piergianni is unlucky, Reid should score two more, Kane Hemmings should score, I could keep going.

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“I don’t see them missing any chances.”

Blues keeper Andresson, who was on loan at Stevenage for a spell last season, impressed for Carlisle with a string of saves.

Evans joked: “Big Jogi never did that for us! He’s a great lad, an enthusiastic lad.

“I’m not pleased for us but I’m pleased for him. He had a broken arm when he left us and he’s gone away and bounced back with a good performance.

“But we can’t miss the number of gilt-edged chances no matter who’s in goal.”

Evans, meanwhile, felt his captain Piergianni did not get enough protection from the officials.

The defender received treatment for a facial injury before returning to the pitch with his head and face bandaged.

“It was an elbow on his chin. That’s allowed,” said Evans. “He’s allowed to be manhandled all over the pitch and doesn’t get anything go in his favour…

“He’s a warrior and he’ll lead us next week subject to nothing untoward happening in the week.”