Desperate Northwich Victoria could not cut the gap on second from bottom Leigh RMI before the visit to their fellow strugglers on Monday.
A victory would have stirred the Conference's battle for the wooden spoon, but Northwich were carrying too many injuries and eventually fell to an inspired Stevenage attack.
Vics manager Shaun Teale said: "The players gave their best, but we are carrying injuries left right and centre.
"We scored early and then picked ourselves up after they had equalised and cut out their crosses. That was where they were dangerous but we nullified them until their second goal, which was an absolute gem.
"There was nothing anyone could do about it, the ball was in the net before our goalkeeper could take a breath. That's football." Vics had started optimistically and took encouragement from Chris Ward's near miss to take the lead in the 13th minute. Lee Woodyatt's centre was played by Ward to Mark Devlin, who looked so surprised at the room afforded him inside the six-yard box he almost delayed his finish too long.
But Boro replied in 24 minutes when a persistent attack found Jon Brady on the fight flank. He flung the ball into the danger area and Anthony Elding who was able to direct a header inside the far post.
Shaun Came went close with a header before half-time but the Vics struggled after the resumption to put together any cohesive attacks.
Ben Connett made a fine save from Brady and Came hooked an Elding header off the goal-line.
It looked as if the game might be drifting to a draw, but sub George Boyd became the star of the closing stages.
He set up Michael Brough who went close and then Elding, who was only denied by Came's late tackle.
He then scored the winner which brought applause from hard pressed Northwich fans as well as Stevenage's following.
Dean Brennan whisked the ball out to the right flank and Brady instantly volleyed in a centre, which was met at the far post by Boyd's crashing finish, with Connett having no time to even raise a hand.