'It was a good advert for us' - Crawley boss John Yems delighted with hard-earned win over league leaders Cheltenham

Crawley Town boss John Yems was full of praise for his side after they beat top-of-the-table Cheltenham Town this evening (Friday, April 16).
Opposing managers John Yems and Michael Duff exchange words before the game. Photo: Jamie Evans / UK Sports ImagesOpposing managers John Yems and Michael Duff exchange words before the game. Photo: Jamie Evans / UK Sports Images
Opposing managers John Yems and Michael Duff exchange words before the game. Photo: Jamie Evans / UK Sports Images

Second-half substitute Jordan Maguire-Drew scored his first goal for the club with a superb strike late on to earn his team three points in a tightly-fought contest. Here's how the players rated"He's been waiting for that has Jordie," Yems said. "It's taken time for him to settle in but he's a good character, a good lad. He's worked hard at his game and he's finally got his reward tonight.

"You're playing men, who are top of the league. You have to stand up and go toe to toe with them.

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"It was a good advert for us because we won it. There were good challenges going in from both sides and no one was moaning or groaning."

It was the Reds' second win, and third clean sheet, in a row, following the goalless draw at Southend and 2-0 win at Bradford.

Those results signal an impressive return to form for Crawley who lost 4-1 at home to Oldham only 11 days ago - their sixth consecutive game without a win.

Yems said: "We've had three [clean sheets] in a row now. That's not bad.

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"We've got good players here and characters who want to try for the football club.

"The one thing you will get from us is an honest performance. We've had one off day. The Oldham game was one bridge too far. It was like the fourth game [in just over a week]. We done more miles than Neil Armstrong.

"We've had three fantastic performances [in a row]. Don't underestimate that point at Southend. They had a new manager and were in League One last year."

Crawley now find themselves three points shy of the play-off places but Yems said he is not looking at the table.

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"I said at the start of the season that it was going to be a tough year," he said. "It was important that we kept the spine [of the team] together and we've got that. I made sure we built the team around that.

"We changed it round. Tony Craig came on and won two headers.

"It's nice when you can bring on subs and change and improve. Everyone is working for their place.

"There is a lot of competition around the place and I have a few problems for the team selection."