'Fuel' - Crawley Town boss reveals what motivated his side to vital point at promotion-chasing MK Dons

The result earned the Reds a valuable point against promotion contenders and stopped the run of three defeats in a row.

The Reds moved up to 21st in League Two but are now only two points above the relegation zone after wins for both Newport County and Harrogate Town.

Lindsey said: “I think that it was a game set up for us to go and win – no one backed us. The whole country was against us tonight.

“Everybody would have said MK would beat us tonight, which I kind of like. I use that as fuel. We use that in the meeting before the game – that no one backs us, so let’s go and upset everybody.

“And we tried our best to do that. Unfortunately, we come away with just one point – not all three. But at this stage, away from home against the team who were tipped certainly at the start of the season to be favourites, I’m pleased with that.”

The Reds’ boss acknowledged the threat the hosts posed to his players throughout the contest.

“Solid point against a really good team,” he said. “They’re up there for a reason. They’ve got really good players – there was a real threat all night.

“On reflection of chances, they probably won that battle. I think they had some real big chances. I was disappointed with some moments where we didn’t defend the box well.

“Thought [Alex] Gilbey should have scored a header at the far post where we’re not marking in the box – we’ve got to do that better. Scott Hogan goes through with a big chance – [Jacob] Chapman makes an unbelievable save.”

Lindsey was impressed with the fortitude displayed by his side after a tough recent run of form.

“I thought my boys were brilliant today,” he said. “I thought they really dug deep, showed great character.

“I thought, first half, we were excellent with the ball and, second half, we became a little bit nervy and a little bit deep. Maybe, stopped playing our football a little bit and I think it’s because of where we are and what we are at the moment.

“We’re in that relegation battle and it’s nervy to keep playing the way we want to play. But I can’t complain – that’s a massive point for us tonight, and the character shown was excellent.”

The Reds earned another clean sheet – new goalkeeper Chapman’s fourth in seven appearances.

Lindsey said: “We’ve kept a clean sheet against the team who scored the most, so I’m proud of that.”

He added: “I’m really proud of the players, to keep going. I think that there were moments where we looked edgy and those moments where we looked good.

“We looked really composed on the ball at times. We played our football, especially in that first half. I think second half we became a bit deeper and worried, but they dug in deep and it was a proper away performance.”

In the absence of the injured duo Max Anderson and Louie Copley, midfielder Justin Ferizaj made his first Crawley start after joining in January.

“I thought he was excellent,” Lindsey said. “I thought he was really smart on the ball.

“Drove forward when he had to and was aggressive in the tackle, and won a lot of second balls in there. I thought he was very, very good tonight – I’m really proud of him.”

Lindsey rounded off his interview by paying tribute to the travelling Reds supporters.

“Pleased we’ve given the fans a good performance,” he said. “There was a lot of upset characters on Saturday which is fair enough.

“It was pleasing to give them that performance tonight. So desperate to score late on to give them that win - not to be. We take it, wipe our mouth and we move onto the next one.”

Crawley are back in action at the Broadfield Stadium this Saturday when they welcome Chesterfield.