Barker praises Crawley’s fantastic win

Walsall V Crawley - Crawley's Paul Hayes' celebrates his goal against Walsall (Pic by Jon Rigby)

More than 18,000 fans witnessed the incredible win at the oldest football stadium in the world, Bramall Lane.

Two second half goals scored by Billy Clarke and Paul Hayes secured the unlikely three points.

Proud Barker said: ““I guess that has to go down as the best result in the club’s short League history.

“To come to a big club like Sheffield United and play as well as we did speaks volumes for the players. They were fantastic.”

“I said I didn’t want the season to fizzle out and this shows that we are not going to let that happen. It might be too much to make the play-offs but to finish in the top-eight would be a fantastic achievement.”

Crawley withstood Sheffield pressure and had some luck after the break when Jamie Murphy’s volley hit the post.

Clarke and Sergio Torres were denied by keeper George Long at the other end as both sides went on the attack.

After 70 minutes Hayes replaced Jamie Proctor up front and the change brought about Crawley’s two late goals.

With 13 minutes to go Hayes set-up up Clarke to give Reds the lead when he seized upon a defensive mistake.

As the Reds fans celebrated, Hayes sealed victory with the second goal from long range in the 84th minute.

Reds: P.Jones, Hunt, Walsh, Essam, Sadler, Bulman, Adams, Torres (O’Broen 88), M Jones, Clarke (C0onnolly 86), Proctor (Hayes 70). Unused subs; Maddison, Dumbuya, Elford-Alliyu, Malins

Attendance: 18,680 (183 away)