Maroons claim Haringey cup win at the death

A winner a minute from the end of extra-time saw Crawley Green beat Premier Division Haringey Borough 3-2 in the third round of the Molten Spartan Challenge Trophy on Wednesday night.

They will face either Harefield United or Codicote in the next round.

Higher divisions Haringey passed the ball neatly with their quick forwards causing the Crawley defence problems.

No-one could get a touch on Rakim Richards’ inviting ninth minute cross before Crawley left-back Craig Savage was adjudged to have fouled Darrell Cox in the box on 35 minutes, only for Dean Bull to save the resulting penalty.

Kickstarted Crawley saw Jamie Warne fire wide after Peter O’Donnell’s good run on 40 minutes, before the visitors took the lead on 69 minutes.

Haringey sprung Crawley’s high line and Cox drifted inside on the edge of the box and struck past Bull.

The Maroons then forced extra-time when substitute Rob Newman headed home Warne’s 91st-minute corner.

O’Dell and Cox both missed good chances at the start of extra-time before Bulls spilled a soft 98th-minute effort from Cox and Andreas Loizou netted the rebound from close range.

Crawley levelled again 12 minutes later when O’Donnell challenged Borough keeper Austin Byfield for Warne’s up-and-under and substitute Lee Loasby was on hand to tap in the equaliser.

With the heading for penalties a 119th minute free-kick was pumped into Boro’s box and full-back Chris Crook stabbed home the winner amid a melee of bodies.

On Tuesday Crawley host Winslow United in Division On, and on Saturday go to Cranfield United.