Heartbreaking in many ways: Lindsey’s message to Crawley Town players after loss at Salford

The Reds were on course to take all three points at the Peninsula Stadium when captain Jay Williams put them 3-2 up in the 72nd minute.

However, a minute of madness took the points away from the visitors as late goals from Josh Austerfield and Kallum Cesay turned the game on its head.

It was a match that was difficult to make sense of from a Crawley point of view, but Lindsey reflected on the necessary next steps afterwards.

“I think we have to continue being what we are,” he said. “But we've got to learn from things like this. We've got to learn from what's happened,” he said.

“It's a long journey up here. We must have been on the road for seven, eight hours yesterday (Friday). We trained in the dark by the time we got up here.

“So much effort, so much preparation goes into playing in one game and we come away with nothing. It's heartbreaking in many ways and really, really, really frustrating.”

Lindsey referenced the importance of regrouping and going again ahead of the busy festive period and January transfer window.

He said: “I think that we need to get as many points as we can between now and January, and hopefully we can maybe strengthen in certain areas. Because I think we're not far away.

“I honestly think we're not far away, but you can't lose a game when you're winning it with seven minutes to go. You can sometimes draw a game, but then to go on and lose - it's a criminal offence.

“I've got to pick the troops up and we've got to maybe have a bit of time away and then lead into the Bromley game ready to go again.”

That trip to Bromley is Crawley’s next on December 9. It will be another tricky test for Lindsey’s men against a team fifth in the league and winners in four of their last five League Two games.