Crawley lose out to a Stevenage stunner

It was a quiet game up until the moment when Osborne broke the deadlock with an excellent finish, whipping it into the top corner from the corner of the penalty area.

Crawley were given a late lifeline when Arthur Read fouled Jordan Maguire-Drew in the box, but Tom Nichols couldn’t rescue a point for the Reds as Stockdale pushed away his powerful penalty.

Four changes were made to the Crawley side that lost 3-1 to Harrogate Town ten days earlier as Jordan Tunnicliffe, Tyler Frost, Tom Dallison and Jordan Maguire-Drew made starts for the Reds.

Luke Norris drew the first save from Glenn Morris when he brought the ball down well before firing towards the bottom corner from outside the box, but Morris was equal to the striker’s effort. Norris went close again when he headed a great free kick from Ben Coker over from close range.

Jordan Maguire-Drew whipped in an inviting cross, which Tunnicliffe headed towards the top-corner, but Stockdale was able to make a comfortable save.

Stevenage had a great chance to break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time when Matthews Stevens slid the ball into the path of the onrushing Jack Roles who only had the keeper to beat, but Morris produced a big save to keep Roles out from close range.

Norris’ snap-shot stung the palms of Morris at the start of the second half. Maguire-Drew showed some great footwork to weave through the Stevenage defence and into the box, but he was crowded out before he could unleash the shot.

Despite a much-improved second-half display from Crawley, Stevenage had another good chance to open the scoring when Elliott List stormed forward on the counterattack, but Morris produced another strong save to keep List out from a narrow angle.

The game seemed to be heading towards a stalemate, but Stevenage were given a late lead with a stunning strike from substitute Osborne. Osborne found the ball at the corner of the Crawley box, before curling an unstoppable effort into the top corner. A fantastic goal, scored in the 83rd minute.

Crawley were given a late chance to equalise when some brilliant play on the edge of the box saw the ball worked into the penalty area where Arthur Read bundle over Maguire-Drew. Nichols stepped up, but was denied by a great save by Stockdale, who pushed over the bar. It was the last chance Crawley had to avoid disappointment against a determined Stevenage side.

The Reds - who now slip to 13th in the table - will need to get something when Colchester visit on Saturday. John Yems' side have not won since they dumped Leeds out of the FA Cup on January 10.

Crawley: Morris, Francomb, Dallison, Powell, Frost (Davies 77’), Nichols, Tunnicliffe, Craig, Maguire-Drew, Hessenthaler (Nadesan 83’), J Wright.

Stevenage: Stockdale, James-Wildin, Coker, Prosser, Vancooten, List (Martin 90’), Pett, Stevens (Osborne 53’), Norris (Cuthbert 83’), Roles (Read 53’), Lines.