Danilo Orsi scored again as Crawley Town put in superb team performance to beat AFC Wimbledon 1-0 at the Cherry Reds Records Stadium.
After a goalless 78 minutes, top scorer Orsi popped up to claim a second consecutive win and clean sheet.
Kellan Gordon, Harry Forster and Klaidi Lolos – who all made an impact as substitutes in the Forest Green Rovers win on Saturday – came in to replace Nick Tsaroulla, Adam Campbell and Jeremy Kelly, who were all on the bench.
And it was Forster who looked a threat from the off and it was one of his penetrating runs which set up Crawley’s first attack, but the promising move ended with Liam Kelly’s shot being blocked.
The Dons looked dangerous going forward – like they did at the Broadfield Stadium in December – and it took a good recovery from Harry Ransom to deny Josh Kelly a chance when it looked like he would run clear of the Reds defender.
It was Forster who started the next attack for the Reds on 11 minutes but he was unceremoniously pushed over by Dons skipper Armani Little , who was booked by ref Scott Tallis.
The home side nearly took the lead on 16 minutes when they were handed a free-kick in a dangerous position after Jay Williams fouled Omar Bugiel. But Little’s effort was well tipped over by Corey Addai.
Josh Kelly then took advantage of a Harry Ransom slip before firing wide before Little had another effort from a free-kick, but this it went wide.
It was starting to be a bit more end-to-end and Crawley won two corners in quick succession but failed to take advantage. Former Red Tilley was having a quiet half but he came alive on 31 minutes and put in a dangerous cross, which Dion Conroy almost diverted into his own net.
Reds started to control the game towards the end of the first half and had a succession of corners but could not convert any into goals.
Certainly not a dull goalless 45 minutes. The second half started the same with both sides attacking and Ronan Darcy recorded Reds first shot on target on 53 minutes, but Alex Bass saved comfortably.
Clear cut chances were few and far between for both sides but Davison looked like was going to give the Dons the lead but somehow Addai pulled off astonishing save to deny him at the back post. An incredible stop.
Both sides made changes shortly after with Lindsey bringing on Jeremy Kelly and Campbell for Forster and Darcy.
It was Campbell who had a great chance to give Reds the lead on 72 minutes after Lolos showed good feet to find the diminutive forward, but the sub couldn’t find any power to beat Bass.
Lolos then blasted an effort wide before the Reds finally took a deserved lead. Wright’s long throw was flocked on and Orsi was on hand to side foot home to send the 529 Reds fans delirious.
Tsaroulla then replaced Gordon, who had put in a great shift.
After the goal the Dons looked desperate and Reds controlled the ball well with Liam Kelly again running the show and Reds comfortably saw out the last few minutes with Addai sensational again.
Reds face Accrington Stanley away on Saturday.
Kellan Gordon, Harry Forster and Klaidi Lolos – who all made an impact as substitutes in the Forest Green Rovers win on Saturday – came in to replace Nick Tsaroulla, Adam Campbell and Jeremy Kelly, who were all on the bench.
And it was Forster who looked a threat from the off and it was one of his penetrating runs which set up Crawley’s first attack, but the promising move ended with Liam Kelly’s shot being blocked.
The Dons looked dangerous going forward – like they did at the Broadfield Stadium in December – and it took a good recovery from Harry Ransom to deny Josh Kelly a chance when it looked like he would run clear of the Reds defender.
It was Forster who started the next attack for the Reds on 11 minutes but he was unceremoniously pushed over by Dons skipper Armani Little , who was booked by ref Scott Tallis.
The home side nearly took the lead on 16 minutes when they were handed a free-kick in a dangerous position after Jay Williams fouled Omar Bugiel. But Little’s effort was well tipped over by Corey Addai.
Josh Kelly then took advantage of a Harry Ransom slip before firing wide before Little had another effort from a free-kick, but this it went wide.
It was starting to be a bit more end-to-end and Crawley won two corners in quick succession but failed to take advantage. Former Red Tilley was having a quiet half but he came alive on 31 minutes and put in a dangerous cross, which Dion Conroy almost diverted into his own net.
Reds started to control the game towards the end of the first half and had a succession of corners but could not convert any into goals.
Certainly not a dull goalless 45 minutes. The second half started the same with both sides attacking and Ronan Darcy recorded Reds first shot on target on 53 minutes, but Alex Bass saved comfortably.
Clear cut chances were few and far between for both sides but Davison looked like was going to give the Dons the lead but somehow Addai pulled off astonishing save to deny him at the back post. An incredible stop.
Both sides made changes shortly after with Lindsey bringing on Jeremy Kelly and Campbell for Forster and Darcy.
It was Campbell who had a great chance to give Reds the lead on 72 minutes after Lolos showed good feet to find the diminutive forward, but the sub couldn’t find any power to beat Bass.
Lolos then blasted an effort wide before the Reds finally took a deserved lead. Wright’s long throw was flocked on and Orsi was on hand to side foot home to send the 529 Reds fans delirious.
Tsaroulla then replaced Gordon, who had put in a great shift.
After the goal the Dons looked desperate and Reds controlled the ball well with Liam Kelly again running the show and Reds comfortably saw out the last few minutes with Addai sensational again.
Reds face Accrington Stanley away on Saturday.
REDS XI: Addai, Gordon (Tsaroulla 79'), Ransom, Conroy (c), Wright, Forster (J.Kelly 66'), L.Kelly, Williams, Darcy (Campbell 66'), Lolos, Orsi
Attendance: 7,397 (529 away)
