Crawley Town survived a late scare against Metropolitan Police to reach the Second Round of the FA Cup today.
The Reds took a 2-0 lead through Josh Simpson and Billy Clarke, but the home side, 13th in the Ryman Premier Division, did not fold, and conjured a goal with eight minutes remaining, to set up a typically FA Cup blood and thunder finish, which Crawley narrowly survived.
Crawley, who made four changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Oldham last week, spent much of the first half prompting for an opening and were made to wait for the first goal.
In a bright start, Reds almost took an eighth minute lead when Dannie Bulman collected the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a fierce shot which hit the underside of the bar before bouncing on to the line.
The League One side continued to enjoy the better of the game, but it was clear the Met were not content to smash the ball long, playing some neat football at times, but without giving Richie Barker’s men too many scares. Sergio Torres, recalled to the side for only his second start since August, forced the first save of the game when fed by Jones, and digging the ball out from under his feet, saw his shot well held by Jamie Butler.
The Met stopper might feel he could have done better with Simpson’s goal though. Neat work from Gary Alexander and Jones sent Simpson racing through the middle, and the Reds midfielder poked his finish underneath the on-rushing Butler 20 yards from goal.
It was not all plain sailing for Richie Barker’s men however, as the hosts did cause one or two late scares before the break.
First, former Red Alan Tait’s shot was comfortably held by Paul Jones, before he stopped a Matt Smart rebound after Kyle McFadzean had blocked Billy Crook’s effort.
A flurry of corners for the Ryman Premier Division hosts at the start of the second half hinted at a more stretched game after the break, and Jones was force into a sharp save to tip Howard Newton’s shot over the bar after the Met winger’s jinking run.
The Met might have levelled shortly after the hour mark, when Craig Brown robbed Joe Walsh and dragged his shot across goal, with Tait well placed at the far post. Crawley were struggling to impose themselves on the game, but soon after Clarke shot into the side netting he doubled the Reds’ lead.
Substitute Nicky Adams fed Alexander, who spun and fired the ball across goal where Clarke prodded home.
But if Reds fans thought that would put the game to bed, they were mistaken.
The Met threw everything at the final ten minutes and were rewarded when Tait stabbed in from six yards after Brown’s chip hit the bar.
That set-up a grandstand finish as Jones made a desperate save from Newton and Crawley were forced to make a series of increasingly desperate interventions, as Mcfadzean cleared off the line from Jay Lovett and Steve Sutherland’s follow-up hit the base of the post, as Barker’s men clung on.
Crawley Town: Paul Jones, Nathan Byrne, Kyle MFadzean, Mark Connolly, Joe Walsh, Sergio Torres, Josh Simpson, Mike Jones, Dannie Bulman, Billy Clarke, Gary Alexander.
Subs: Mat Sadler (on for Byrne 27), David Hunt, Nicky Adams (on for Torres 64), Charlie Wassmer, John Akinde, Shaun Cooper, Michel Kuipers.
Met Police: Jamie Butler, Jay Lovett, Billy Crook, Joe Dolan, Steve Sutherland, Matt Smart, Craig Brown, Tyron Smith, Alan Tait, Chris Bourne, Howard Newton.
Subs: Jordan Bird, Elliot Taylor (on for Crook 75), Oliver Lockyear, James Tyrell, Tim McNeil, Stafforde Palmer (on for Dolan 75), Billy Bennett.