It was an afternoon to forget for Scott Lindsey and his Crawley side who lost out 2-5 to Carlisle United who moved up to second in the league table, overtaking Stevenage. Today’s result leaves the Red Devils in 23rd place, one point behind fellow strugglers Hartlepool United.
The away side had scored four before the 39th minute, with goals coming from Joel Senior, Omari Patrick, Owen Moxon and Morgan Feeney.
Substitute Aramide Oteh scored early in the second half but it was matched soon enough by Jon Mellish.
The opening exchanges of the game were fairly level, with both sides showing glimpses of attacking intent. Mellish bulldozed down the left flank to deliver a great ball over to opening scorer Senior, who calmly slotted in from inside the box.
Five minutes later the Cumbrians had two, this time it was Patrick who was the scorer after latching onto Moxon’s threaded pass.
After 26 minutes Carlisle had three. Moxon, the assistant of the second goal, got on the scoresheet after dribbling past all in his way with ease and slotting low past Schofield.
Crawley continued to face relentless Carlisle pressure and a fourth goal came with seven minutes of the first half remaining. Captain Feeney bundled the ball into the net following a dangerous cross into the Crawley area.
After the half-time break, Crawley appeared more energised and it only took five minutes to pull one back. Oteh latched onto Tsaroulla’s cross from just yards out with quick instincts and there was no time for celebration.
Mellish of Carlisle was next to rise high and score from a Carlisle set-piece after 57 minutes, giving Lindsey’s side yet another four-goal deficit to deal with.
The second-half was certainly a much tighter affair and Crawley were able to play with more freedom. Oteh was a standout going forward in the late stages but it was Dom Telford who found an 85th minute goal to make it 2-5, meeting the cross of Kellan Gordon.
Reds XI: Schofield; Gordon, Francillette (Oteh), Conroy, Lynch, Tsaroulla; Powell (Mason), Roles (Khaleel), Fellows; Telford, Nadesan.
Attendance: 2970 (504 away)
