PAUL Jones was Crawley Town’s penalty hero in a stunning shoot-out as Crawley Town beat Millwall tonight in the Capital One Cup.
With the scores 2-2 after extra time, summer-signing Jones produced two top-drawer saves to ensure the Reds are in the hat for tomorrow’s draw for the first time in their history.
Crawley were faultless from the spot, as Gary Alexander, Dannie Bulman and Kyle McFadzean scored their penalties, while Jones saved well from Darius Henderson and Jack Smith, which meant despite Liam Trotter’s successful spot-kick, David Hunt was able to seal a famous win, making it 4-1 with a confident penalty. It was the Reds’ third shoot-out success in four attempts.
Lions fan Gary Alexander once again donned the captain’s armband on his return to his former club as four of Crawley’s five summer signings were named in the starting line-up. It was only the Reds’ third League Cup tie - in contrast Millwall were playing their 150th.
Richie Barker named a full-strength line-up, but with the pre-season defeat fresh in the memory, Millwall boss Kenny Jackett was taking it just as seriously.
The started brightly, and Billy Clarke went twice in the opening seven minutes and the signs were encouraging for Crawley in front of a vocal travelling support.
Reds keeper Jones made the first save of the day though, parrying James Henry’s 11th minute free kick. Up at the other end, Gary Alexander headed inches over and an entertaining tie was brewing. Crawley refused to be overawed though, going in front when Hope Akpan flicked Nicky Adam’s corner in with a near post header, it was no more than they deserved.
The lead only lasted eight minutes though. Millwall were rewarded for a spell of concerted pressure as Darren Ward planted his header beyond Jones to level from Liam Feeney’s cross. Alexander remained a threat and again went close to a goal on his return to The Den, heading just wide from a precise Adams delivery.
Another lively start to the second period saw Crawley go close again, but Clarke’s touch let him down at the crucial moment.
And seconds after coming under pressure when Darius Henderson fluffed his lines in front of goal, Reds were back in front. Adams strode into space 20 yards out and curled a beauty beyond Lions keeper Maik Taylor.
It was so nearly 3-1, and a massive moment for Alexander, but the flag went up as he drilled his low shot into the bottom corner - Adams was ruled offside, impeding the keeper.
Millwall were not going to exit the competition with a whimper though, and after Kyle McFadzean dallied, Jones had to make a superb save at ex-Reds loanee Shaun Batt’s feet, and Dannie Bulman hacked Henderson’s follow-up off the line.
It was not Henderson’s night in front of goal, and he dragged another shot wide when Jack Smith’s cross found him at the far post.
There was no mistake with just six minutes left though, Claude Davis’ clearance fell to Henderson who fed substitute Batt to drag the Lions level again with a composed finish, taking the tie to extra time.
Henderson should then have put the Lions in front for the first time four minutes into the added period - he raced clear and rounded Jones, only to allow McFadzean to get in the way.
Crawley pressed until the interval and looked the more likely winners after the turanaround too - and when substitute John Akinde was released by Sergio Torres it looked like he might seal a famous victory. But after shrugging off his man he over over to the dismay of the 453 travelling fans.
With just two minutes remaining, Henderson jinked into space inside the box as he tookm Scott Malone’s cross down, but scuffed his shot wide. And that was the last chance before Jones’ heroics in the shoot-out.
Millwall: Maik Taylor; Jack Smith, Darren Ward, Shane Lowery, Scott Malone; James Henry, Liam Trotter, Jimmy Abdou, Chris Taylor, Liam Feeney, Darius Henderson.
Subs: Steve Mildenham, Alan Dunne, Danny Shittu (on for Feeney 61), Josh Wright (on for Henry 119), Therry Racon, John Marquis, Shaun Batt (on for C Taylor 61).
Reds: Paul Jones, Mark Connolly, Kyle McFadzean, Claude Davis, Mat Sadler; Hope Akpan, Dannie Bulman, Josh Simpson; Nicky Adams, Billy Clarke; Gary Alexander.
Subs: Michel Kuipers, Sergio Torres (on for Clarke 83), David Hunt (on for Connolly 74), John Akinde (on for Adams 100), Shaun Cooper, Charlie Wassmer, Scott Neilson.