Missed chances cost Crawley Green dear at Broadfields

The visitors had the better of a lively opening as Sam Peverall fired wide twice, while Charlie Clayton was denied by Nathan Dyds.

With 13 minutes gone, Clayton was brought down on the edge of the box, with Aaron Browne driving the free kick into the bottom corner.

Minutes later, Clayton set up Browne who fired against the bar, before he put another presentable opportunity over the top.

United started to get into the game as Liam Bird’s effort was well saved by Dean Bull, and Sam Murrell shot against the post.

Green should have doubled their lead though, only for Dyds to prevent Browne from scoring.

In the second period, United as Murrell sent a free kick wide, before Crawley were wasteful again, Peverall off target when it looked easier to score.

Henry Mungwira smashed over, but Broadfields were level as Kyle Watson who shot past Bull to make it 1-1.

Walker and Liam Toomey then exchanged wayward efforts, while late on, star man Clayton should have sealed the points but he failed to convert a cross from Mungwira.

Crawley then had a strong appeal for a penalty on Clayton turned down before Andrew Manitou had one final effort for the hosts saved by Bull.

The two teams meet again tomorrow night when Crawley host United in the semi-final of the Division One Cup.