Crawley Town couldn't 'find spark' in flat performance against Accrington Stanley, says former Charlton defender

The Reds salvaged a point thanks to Kabby Tshimanga’s second equaliser in as many games, yet again coming off the bench to score.

It came after the home side had made a positive start to the game. Returning Harry McKirdy had their best chance of the half when his effort was pushed past the post by Accrington goalkeeper Ollie Wright.

It was the visitors who took the lead though when Isaac Heath got a touch to divert Isaac Sinclair’s shot past Jojo Wollacott.

Barker agreed with Scott Lindsey’s sentiment that there was something missing with the team’s display.

“Yeah, it did feel a bit flat,” he said. “You don’t go out there and mean for it to be flat. I think sometimes you just need a spark, a goal, a bit of something from someone to set everyone off.

“But I just don’t think that really came today. It probably was a bit flat out there. But when games are a bit flat, we need to kick in and something needs to happen for us to change that.”

The defender, Crawley Town’s player of the season last campaign, was frustrated with the goal that the visitors scored and only coming away with a point.

He said: “I think it was a poor goal we gave away – very avoidable. I don’t think we were great first half, but we still created chances. Easily could have had two going into half-time.

“Then I think we were a lot better second half, pushed forward a lot more, took more risks in the final third, created some good chances. I think it was a game we probably could’ve won.”

The unrelenting rain made playing conditions difficult and that, alongside Accrington Stanley’s resolution, handed Barker and his side a more difficult task.

“Accrington made it hard – they sat in behind. They were hard to break down, got good numbers back behind the ball.

“Yeah, obviously it was tough conditions out there. I just don’t think we’d done enough to break them down really.”

Barker was complimentary towards the two directly involved in the goal – Geraldo Bajrami and Tshimanga.

On Bajrami, he said: “He’s been very good. He’s played that position for years. He is a centre-back, so I certainly feel he can do both.

“He’s comfortable, confident on the ball. He gets up the pitch and he’s a good defender. He’s become a real threat to the set pieces as well.”

And on Tshimanga, he said: “You can’t just rely on the eleven out there every week. There’s a lot of talent in the squad. There’s a lot of people missing out.

“So, when you’re on the bench, it’s your opportunity to come on and make an impact. Recently, Kabby came on and scored last week, came on (today) and scored again.

“He’ll probably be frustrated he’s not starting, but he’s doing his bit for the team. He’s coming on and scoring goals.”

The point takes Crawley Town up one place to 19th in League Two and leaves them two points clear of the relegation zone. Another draw takes their unbeaten league record to four games.

A trip up north awaits next week as the Reds take on 12th placed Salford City at the Peninsula Stadium.