Crawley Town 0 Doncaster Rovers 0: Keeper Morris penalty save earns home draw against league leaders

Crawley Town keeper Glenn Morris saves from the penalty spot to deny Doncaster's John Marquis. Picture by STEVE ROBARDS

Crawley Town goalkeeper Glenn Morris saved a penalty in the first half which proved decisive in earning them a tough 0-0 draw at home to leaders Doncaster Rovers

The visitors looked dominant in the first half and could well have taken the lead from when a controversial penalty was awarded for a challenge by Mark Connolly which looked fair.

Morris earned himself the man of the match award as he heroically saved the spot-kick, the follow up shot and made other great saved to keep his side in the game.

The second half was much more even and Reds did create chances themselves and also made a late charge to try to clinch a surprise winner.

Mark Connolly in action against Doncaster. Picture by STEVE ROBARDS

It was an important result Reds for Dermot Drummy's side as it ended a run of three successive home defeats.

Reds made three changes with Josh Payne, Billy Clifford and Josh Lelan returning to the side in place of Andre Blackman, Jaby Djalo and Conor Henderson.

Crawley were first out of the blocks with a dangerous shot fdrom the outside of the erea being blocked.

Mark Connolly made a couple of vital interceptions at the back before Doncaster came on the attack again. A cross by Alfi May found topscorer John Marquis but keeper Glenn Morris got in the way.

Joe McNerney battles for the ball with Doncaster's John Marquis.
Picture by STEVE ROBSARDS — Joe McNerney battles for the ball with Doncaster's John Marquis. Picture by STEVE ROBSARDS

Morris was the hero again when he made a tremendous double-save to keep out a penalty which was controversially given for a challenge by Mark Connolly on Tommy Rowe, which looked like Connolly had got the ball.

John Marquis took the penalty, Morris got down to stop the spot kick and the follow up shot from May.

Morris came to the rescue again, making a diving save to deny James Coppinger's shot after a cross came into the area.

Doncaster had the ball in the net just before half-time following a free-kick was May's attempt was flagged for off-side.

The referee was boosed off by the home fans at half-time for the earlier penalty plus an appeal appeal for a penalty at the other end.

Crawley were fastest to start in the second half and had two quick chances in succession - Joe McNerney's header in the area from Dean Cox's free-kick was pushed on to the post by Rovers' keeper Ian Lawlor.

Then moments later Connolly's shot was blocked, the ball rebounded, it hit him and went out out of play.

Rhys Murphy replaced Clifford, who got a big round of applause, and went alongside Collins up front.

Crawley laucned a series of attacks in the last ten minutes as Collins fired over ther bar from goof work from Murphy and Cox.

Then Enzio Boldewijn went on a great run down the right and supplied Collins, but his shot was blocked.

Payne did well to set-up Collins for another chances, which was against blocked as reds piled on the pressure.

Jimmy Smith headed clear off the line to keep it 0-0 on 87 minutes to deny sub Andy Williams.

Both sides hung on fror the draw in what was a thrilling, if goalless game and the fans gave Reds a standing ovation as the came off the field.

REDS: Morris, Young, Payne, Connolly, Boldewijn, Smith (capt), Clifford (Murphy 70), Collins, McNerney, Lelan, Cox

Unused subs: Mersin, Yorwerth, Bawling, Djalo, Henderson

DONCASTER: Lawlor, Alcock, Baudry, Butler, Marquis, Row, Blair, Mason, Grant, Coppinger, May (Williams 67)

Unused subs: Etheridge, McSheffrey, Middleton, Longbottom, Beeston, Evina

REFEREE: Michael Salisbury

ATTENDANCE:

Man of the Match: Glenn Morris