Crawley player ratings vs AFC Wimbledon: One 9 as Reds find goal-scoring boots but defensive improvements needed
Having not scored a goal in three games, Crawley scored three second-half goals to level the scoring after they went 3-0 down just before the hour mark.
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Hide AdBut, against the odds, Joe Pigott struck a spectacular winner for The Dons in the fifth minute of injury-time.
After playing some brilliant football early doors, Rob Elliott’s Crawley side looked the most likely to take the lead.
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Gavan Holohan looked lively but the Reds were unable to properly test Lewis Ward in the Wimbledon goal.
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Hide AdThe visitors took control after the 30-minute mark, with emergency goalkeeper Connal Trueman forced into a flurry of good saves. Former Reds man James Tilley was particularly threatening.
The goal that was coming did come when unmarked Callum Maycock found a finish from close range.
The League Two side found themselves three goals ahead through quickfire second-half headers from Matt Stevens and Tilley.
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Hide AdRob Elliott would not have been happy with the nature of the goals and his team looked well beaten.
But suddenly they burst into life – with the substitutes making a huge impact on the game.
Among them was Ronan Darcy who scored from the penalty spot after fellow sub Armando Quitirna was fouled – cue chants of ‘we scored a goal from the Crawley fans’.
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Hide AdAfter having a goal disallowed, Hepburn-Murphy scored a bullet header from Darcy’s corner to get Crawley well and truly back in the game.
The Reds were attacking relentlessly and the inevitable equaliser came when Josh Flint’s flicked effort found its way into the corner of the net.
The hosts weren’t done there and they had seven minutes of injury-time to find a winner. Wimbledon were still a threat, though, and Joe Pigott forced Trueman into a good save.
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Hide AdPigott wasn’t to be denied at the next opportunity though – firing in a superb winner, in off the crossbar, to break Crawley hearts.
The Reds can still finish second in Group J if they beat Wycombe Wanderers away on November 12.
Connal Trueman – 7: The emergency goalkeeper from Milwall barely had anything to do in the first half hour but made three saves in quick succession at the end of the half. There was nothing he could do about the opening goal. Won’t be happy to concede two headers as Crawley fell three behind. Important save in injury-time. Was merely a spectator to Pigott’s late winner.
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Hide AdJosh Flint – 7: The captain for the night. He has been Crawley's best player this season and showed flashes of his quality tonight. A lovely finish for 3-3.
Toby Mullarkey – 7: Harmless shot wide as fans plead for team to have a crack rather than playing pretty football in front of goal. Did well when he moved into the centre of the back three after Barker went off.
Charlie Barker – 7: Good performance. Hopefully not too badly hurt after he went down twice before being replaced. Personal highlight was when he fired the ball onto the A23.
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Hide AdMax Anderson – 7: Always looked to get on the ball. Battled hard.
Cam Bragg – 6: Not the Southampton loanee’s best game but he is still learning his trade. Looked calm on the ball.
Gavan Holohan – 7: Really lively and made some great runs. A threat going forward. His impact faded before he was replaced.
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Hide AdJack Roles – 6: Lovely pass to set up a chance early doors. Involved in some lovely moves but no end product in the first half. Replaced by Ronan Darcy, who sparked the second-half comeback.
Rafiq Khaleel – 6: Had an early chance but struggled to get involved after that. Lost the ball a couple of times. Replaced by Jeremy Kelly.
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy – 9: Was all-action in the first half and was unlucky not to score – particularly with the powerful effort which was heading for the top corner, when it was brilliantly saved. Had a great header ruled out for offside before he finally got his goal with another bullet header on the 79th minute. Nearly made it 4-3 before the late Wimbledon winner.
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Hide AdTola Showunmi – 6: Guilty of not pulling the trigger early enough but decent signs from the new man. Had a couple of efforts on goal. Replaced by Will Swan.
Subs:
Ronan Darcy – 8: Sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot. Perfect cross for Hepburn-Murphy’s header.
Will Swan – 7: Put himself about and his presence caused problems for the Wimbledon defence. Still looking for his first Reds goal. Surprised he didn’t take the penalty.
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Hide AdJeremy Kelly – 8: Lovely cross for Hepburn-Murphy’s disallowed goal. Had a shot saved on the 85th minute as the Reds pushed for an equaliser.
Armando – 8: Good impact on the game as he was fouled for the penalty. Caused havoc and nearly forced a winner.
Bradley Ibrahim – 6: Saw lots of the ball but limited impact.
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