Opinion: Reds bosses must restore confidence - or relegation zone could appear close

The pedantic official dished out no fewer than nine cautions (six of them to Stevenage players) which might suggest it was a fractious encounter. It wasn’t, merely dour, but the eccentric refereeing was the least of Crawley’s worries.

The extra rest occasioned by the postponement of Saturday’s game at Carlisle seemed only to have left the Reds at half pace. The first half was evenly balanced with Crawley showing neither the interest nor ability to make headway against a side that had obviously come for a point. After the break they upped the ante playing with commendable zest but were singularly lacking in quality.

In midfield we again lacked artistry, generally played too deep and left the front runners largely on their own. Jordan Maguire-Drew tried to improve matters but was invariably outnumbered. Tom Dallison and Jordan Tunnicliffe were in great form at the back but sadly that was about that.

Team selection looked stale with the commentators on iFollow noting just how many members of this season’s larger than average squad seem to have disappeared without trace. In the absence of John Yems, who is serving a two match touchline ban, Lee Bradbury seemed reticent to make changes and the arrival of Ashley Nadesan was far too late and of no value.

Archie Davies, however, again showed attacking intent and got forward well. Maybe he should keep a fullback spot allowing Dallison to partner Tunnicliffe as Tony Craig is not demonstrating the experience that led to his signing.

It was no consolation that Stevenage won with a superb goal by Elliot Osborne who curled a 25 yarder just inside the far post after 83 minutes. Even then the points should have been shared but Tom Nichols drove a spot kick straight at David Stockdale a few minutes later.

Whatever the ifs and buts of selection, the managers’ biggest task is to restore confidence and self belief in their squad. If they don’t do it soon there is every chance that Crawley will slide too close to the three sides currently contesting the two relegation slots and this season will end up like so many others.