Yeovil 2 Crawley 1: Reds suffer another away defeat

In a poor game for spectators, Glovers substitute Ryan Bird came off the bench and put the home sode ahead in the 60th minute.

Callum Preston made a rare start in goal following the departure last week of regular No.1 Darryl Flahavan.

The 20-year-old was one one of four changes to the team with recent signing Chris Atkinson coming in to make his first start, Roarie Deacon partnering Matt Harrold up front and Josh Yorweth in defence.

Lee Barnard, Gavin Tomlin and Ross Jenkins were dropped to the bench, while Luke Rooney was not included in the sqaud due to illness.

Yeovil included former Crawley player from last season Ryan Dickson at left back.

The first half hour was a dour affair with Crawley rarely keeping any meaning possession and Yeovil also lacking any cutting edge.

A breakaway for Crawley involving Matt Harrold and Lewis Young saw Harrold mistime his header.

Josh Yorwerth was brought down in the area leading to a penalty appeal which was not given by referee Chris Kavanagh.

The second half eventually came to life when Shaun Jeffers saw a shot saved by Preston.

Play raced to the other end when Walton crossed to Harrold whose header was turned away by keeper Artur Krysiak for a corner.

Yeovil took the lead on the hour when a ball was flicked on ny Jon Ashton and Bird controlled and finished from close-range.

Crawley created a rare chance down the left flank when Young sped a away but sliced a shot over the bar with just the keeper to beat.

Yeovil then went 2-0 up on 76 minutes when Campbell was given time to cut inside and curl a shot past Preston from the edge of the area.

Reds then scored a surprise goal seven minutes later well headed by Barnard, getting inside the defence, which left an exciting final few minutes.

Finally Yeovil were awarded a penalty when Sonny Bradley brought down Bird but the referee changed his mind upon consulting with the linesman and instead a free-kick just outside the area was given as Yeovil slipped to defeat.

REDS: Preston, Walton, Bradley, Edwards, Young (Jenkins 76), Ashton, Harrold (Barnard 76), Deacon (Tomlin 67), Yorwerth, Smith, Altkinson

Unused subs: Fenelon, Bawling

YEOVIL: Krysiak, Tozer, N.Smith, Dolan, Sokolik, Jeffers (Bird 56), Dickson, Compton (Campbell 56) , Roberts, Walsh (Dawson 85), Zoko

Unused subs: Weale, Laird, Gillett, Allen

REFEREE: Chris Kavanagh

ATTENDANCE: 3,423 (139 away)

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