Klaidi Lolos scored late on to rescue Scott Lindsey's Reds a point this afternoon at the VBS Community Stadium. Liam Kelly had put the Reds ahead in the first half, before a double from Sutton turned the game on its head. Lolos scored to level in injury leaving the Reds in the final play off space heading into the final game of the season.
The game started at a frantic pace with Orsi forcing the Sutton keeper into a good low save having been fed by Tsaroulla on the left hand side. Lolos was then unable to hit the target with a ball dropping to the forward from a corner, with the in form man unable to hit the target. Orsi had another chance on 12 minutes, brilliantly bringing the ball down over his shoulder and again forcing Arnold, the Sutton keeper, into a good save having attempted a smart chip. You were getting the sense it wouldnt be the Reds day.
At the other end, Addai made a good stop to thwart Sowumni before the Reds struck.
Good work on the Reds left meant the ball found its way to Liam Kelly on the corner of the Sutton box. The midfield magician proceeded to tuck a deliciously whipped ball into the Sutton net to send the thousand plus Crawley fans into raptures. Reds proceeded to stand firm and headed into the break ahead.
Much like Town in the first, Sutton came out for the second half fast and were soon level. Despite Reds claiming a clear foul for a high foot on Tsaroulla following Sutton tossing another ball into the box, the ball dropped to Lakin on the edge of the box, and much to Reds luck, proceeded to hit Jay Williams, the crossbar and post, before nestling into the Reds goal. This gave the home side the impoteous with the Reds struggling to leave their own half.
Crawley, however, appeared to be standing firm to the arial bombardment until a miscontrol from Williams on the edge of the Town box allowed Sanderson to cleverly slot past Addai to give Sutton the lead and keep their hopes of staying in the division alive.
Lindsey rang the changes, introducing Roles, Campbell Jeremy Kelly & Adeyemo, with the Reds doing everything to get level.
The fourth official indicated 5 minutes of additional time and one minute into that, Lolos equalised.
J.Kelly did well to cut in from the left and slid in Lolos whos shot took a deflection and rolled into the Sutton net to bring the Reds level.
What ensued following the leveler could prove to be crucial come the end of the season. Having already had an Adam Campbell shot cleared off the line, Reds continued to push looking for a winner. Campbell was again released down the right, before whipping a ball across the Sutton box to Orsi at the far post who proceeded to put the ball into the Sutton net in off the post, sending the Town fans, players and management into dream land, only to be denied by the linesmans flag. Replays suggest the decison was marginal.
The full time whilstle blew with a point seemingly a dissapointing result for both sides.
Reds remain seventh, entertaining Grimsby Town at the Broadfield Stadium next Saturday needing a win and other results to go their way to secure a play off spot.
REDS XI: Addai, Forster (Adeyemo 76'), Wright, Conroy (c), Maguire, Tsaroulla (Roles 70'), Williams (Campbell 85'), Kelly, Lolos, Darcy (J.Kelly 70'), Orsi
Attendance: 4,765 (1,152 away)
