Crawley Town boss Gabriele Cioffi says his heart told him to celebrate with players after 'bad phase' ending victory over Crewe

Reds celebrate opener. Picture by Steve Robards

Before today, Reds were on a run of seven games in all competitions without a win, and Cioffi acknowledged the importance of responding with three points, particularly after their 6-2 FA Cup defeat in the week.

The Italian said: "I'm happy. It's what we deserved, it's what we needed. For a lot of the [seven previous] games, it was a bad result but not a bad performance.

"It was a pain for us to go out of the FA Cup in extra time but we played good football and we challenged them even though they [Southend] are in a league above us.

"I had a lot of pressure. The answer to that was to win which is what we did with this performance. It was a lesson. They suffered and learnt and now today we deserved a win. They were angry at the result and wanted to respond for the shirt. "It helps us when everyone is ready and angry."

In what was a man of the match performance, Glenn Morris single handedly maintained Crawley's 1-0 lead in the first half, following Josh Payne's 15th minute penalty, and Cioffi admitted that Reds rode their luck before sealing the game with two late goals from Joe McNerney and Dannie Bulman.

He added: "We changed it around even before half time. They were ready and sharp to understand my request.

"It happens in football. If you call it lucky, I agree with you. Sometimes it is the will to don't concede.

"What happened in Grimsby, you call unlucky, but I think we were lacking will to come home with points. If it bounces out by some miracle it's because they don't have the will for it to go in, they want the clean sheet."

On Morris' performance, Cioffi continued: "It's his job. We are happy and we know how talented he is. He is one of the best goalkeepers in League Two. He has a strong mind, strong will."

In what is becoming a trademark scene, Cioffi joined his players to celebrate the victory at the full time whistle against Crewe, and he had a message for people who don't appreciate the passion.

"Today was the finish of a bad phase and I wanted to enjoy it with my players," he said.

"We spent a lot of time together for this club and I want them to enjoy it.

"Everyone can think what they want, honestly I don't care. I did it with my heart and I enjoy celebrating with them."

Watch manager Gabriele Cioffi react to Crawley's 3-0 win over Crewe Alexandra

Watch defender Joe McNerney react to Crawley Town's 3-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra