'Rally the troops' - Crawley Town player ratings vs Fleetwood: 8-10 star can't prevent narrow defeat

Crawley Town fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Fleetwood Town, after veteran Ched Evans slotted home from the edge of the area, writes Ron Alderman.

In a fairly quiet first half, the Reds started the brighter with a corner in the first minute. However, Geraldo Bajrami headed over the bar from close range. Jacob Chapman was called into action with two great saves, one from a header by Shaun Rooney on 12 minutes, and then from Mark Helm on 24 minutes.

The second half wasn’t much better for either side, but Ched Evans slotted home from the edge of the area on 57 minutes, after Ethan Ellis got past Johnny Russell, and Mark Helm laid it back to Evans.

Crawley huffed and puffed but to no avail and luckily results down the bottom of the table meant that things stayed as they were, with Crawley remaining in 21st position with 31 points, and welcome Gillingham to the Broadfield next Saturday.

Crawley Town player ratings

Jacob Chapman – 8 - Great early save from a Shaun Rooney header from close range. Not much he could have done for the goal.

Scott Malone – 7 – Has been immense since his return from injury, a calming presence in the defence. Replaced by Lewis Richards on 71 minutes.

Geraldo Bajrami – N/A – replaced by Akin Odimayo after 13 minutes.

Charlie Barker – 7 – Did well in the middle of the back three after Bajrami came off.

Johnny Russell – 6 – Struggled against on his flank against Ethan Ellis. Replaced by Ade Adeyemo on 58 minutes

Taylor Richards – 6 – A quieter game for Richards today, fired a shot well wide just after the half-time break.

Jay Williams – 7 – Did all he could, as usual from the captain. Tried to rally the troops.

Kellan Gordon – 7 – Quieter in the first half, but much better in the second half, having some success done the left.

Klaidi Lolos – 6 – Didn’t really do much in the first half, tried a little too hard to find a pass. Replaced by Ronan Darcy on 58 minutes.

Dion Pereira – 7 – Had a good game, creating a few chances and corners that were dangerous. Replaced by Harry McKirdy on 71 minutes

Danilo Orsi - 6 - Cut a lonely figure upfront, with no real service for him, and ended up coming back for the ball.

Subs

Akin Odimayo – 7 - Replaced Geraldo Bajrami after 13 minutes. Was solid after coming on and was left as the lone defender late in the game.

Ade Adeyemo – 7 - Replaced Johnny Russell on 58 minutes. Did more than Russell down the right side, getting into some good positions

Ronan Darcy – 7 - Replaced Klaidi Lolos on 58 minutes. Didn’t really do much when he came on, had a few good passes to Adeyemo.

Harry McKirdy – 6 - Replaced Dion Pereira on 73 minutes. No impact when he came on.

Lewis Richards – 6 - Replaced Scott Malone on 73 minutes. Didn’t really do much when he came on.

Unused Sub: Harry Forster.