Crawley Town assistant manager laments side's luck after defeat at Fleetwood

Ched Evans gave the Cods the lead on 57 minutes, and the hosts were able to see out the match to condemn the visitors to a 20th loss of the season.

The result keeps Crawley in 21st place in League Two and just a point above the relegation zone.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey, Smith said: “You think we just need that little bit of luck at the moment. It just seems to be going against us, like we just said.”

He added: “It's just not running for us at the moment. But the endeavour of the players, the character of them - they kept on going and we just need to find that win. You need to find that win, however it comes and hopefully sooner rather than later.”

The Reds were spared from falling further into relegation trouble after all their rivals at the bottom of League Two were also defeated on Saturday.

“We're not relying on anybody else,” Smith said. “We're looking at ourselves. We know we've got to do it ourselves. You can't look like that.

“We want to be the reason because we've kept ourselves up and we know we've got to do that. That starts on Monday again, ready for Gillingham.

“The boys are working extremely hard. There's a belief in there. It's just getting that rub of the green. It's getting that luck, but I genuinely believe the harder you work, the luckier you get.”

Smith was keen to pay tribute to the away fans who made the 568-mile round-trip to witness another defeat on the road.

“It will turn - we believe it,” he said. “The supporters were amazing again, getting behind us. We're going to need them.

“We need each other and, of course, we've got to do it on the pitch to get them going. But they are such a credit to us at the moment, and we're going to need them right through at the end of the season.”

He added: “They've been amazing since I walked through the door - I think it's a year ago now - in difficult circumstances. They travel the breadth of the country, getting up whatever time, maybe staying over last night.

“So we know the sacrifices they're making for us, and we will stay up because of us and we'll do it for them because they are amazing.

“They have been behind us. We know it's difficult times and people are going to shout. Whatever they shout, they've got their right but they've got to genuinely believe that this team are going to do it because we do.”

The Reds host Gillingham next Saturday, with the return to the Broadfield Stadium likely to be of benefit.

Smith said: “The home games are going to be vital for us. You've seen it, we're (again) coming back from behind the other night. The boys genuinely feel the atmosphere, the crowd, the belief and the encouragement that we're getting.

“We're playing Gillingham. They're not having the best of times at the moment, but we've got to make sure we capitalise on that, make sure we make these home games our cup finals.

“And with the supporters and, as I say, the hard work the boys are going to put in this week, hopefully that turns on Saturday.”