Stevenage produced one of the shocks of the FA Cup first round with this impressive win over struggling second division outfit Stockport County.
Sensing an upset it was Stevenage who began the brighter of the two sides and the Nationwide Conference team went close on just eight minutes when impressive midfielder Simon Travis lashed the ball into the side netting from close range.
Simon Wormull and Anthony Elding both went close for the home side as Stockport began to soak up ever-increasing pressure.
Stevenage got the goal their efforts deserved on 29 minutes when Dino Maamria pounced on a ball in the box to turn and fire the home side ahead.
Stevenage continued to dominate and after Travis had headed the ball onto the roof of the net they got the vital second just eight minutes before half time when Maamria powered in a header from close range following a whipped cross in by Jamie Gould.
Stockport came out a different side in the second half and squandered a host of chances as Rickie Lambert hit the woodwork while John Hardiker and Jon Daly kept home keeper Lionel Perez on his toes.
Stevenage appeared to have weathered the storm when Stockport clawed a goal back on 69 minutes as Goodwin sent Perez the wrong way from the spot after Wormull had handled in the area.
The Hatters piled on the pressure but Stevenage defended resolutely as they booked a place in the second round for their efforts.