Mark Yates: This was almost a ‘classic’ away performance

Crawley Town V Accrington Stanley (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-150927-231403008

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Crawley Town manager Mark Yates gave his verdict on what was so nearly a creditable draw on the road at Plymouth.

A goal just before half-time by Reuben Reid from a through-ball gave the home side.

Roarie Deacon looked to have earned Reds a point at the second-placed team when he bundled the ball over the line in the 85th minute.

But that wasn’t the end as Crystal Palace loanee Hiram Boateng netted Plymouth an 89th minute winner which lifted them to the top of the table.

The Crawley boss reckoned Plymouth were the better side in the first half but that Crawley showed the better commitment after the break.

Yates said: “I think it would have been a classic away performance had we got the point which I thought our second efforts half deserved.

“Plymouth are a good, sellted side and were better than us in the first half.

“We stuck at it, showed a lot of grit and determination and looked like we had got the point that we deserved.

“We shot ourselves in the foot by conceding a free-kick 30 yards out and then not defending the free-kick better.

“We frustrated them second half, I thought we were the better team second half against a team riding high would have been a terrific point.

“There are signs that I am liking and there still things we need improving and we will be doing everything we can to put that right.”

Yates praised new loan signing from Birmingham City Mitch Hancox for making a promising debut.

“First half I thought he was excellent. Jake Jervis posed a threat but Mitch dealt with him really well. Second half you could tell he hasn’t been playing games. He tired because he hasn’t played this intensity of game.

“Defensively he was decent but probably would have liked to have done a bit more with the ball when he got it.

“He’s a player I’ve always liked, seen him a lot in Blues reserve games and it adds to the competition to the group we’ve got.”

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