'We've got a clean sheet but we've had to work for it' - Crawley Town manager John Yems reflects on goalless draw at Southend United

Crawley had a hatful of chances but couldn't find the elusive winning goal as the Reds' winless league run extended to seven games.

The result sees Crawley slip to 15th in the table.

Yems said: "We created them (chances) but you've got to stick them in the net haven't you?

"Southend are fighting for their lives. We've done what we could do.

"If you had said to us at the beginning of the season, you come to Southend and come away with a point, you would have bitten your hand off wouldn't you?

"As the season's panned out, we're disappointed but by the same token let's not forget where both clubs are and where they've come from.

"We've come away with a point, we've got a clean sheet but we've had to work for it. Nobody gives you anything in this life.

"If you had said we would still be in this division for next season I would have taken that all day long."

Yems made four changes from Easter Monday's humbling 4-1 home defeat against Oldham Athletic.

And the man in charge at The People's Pension Stadium revealed the change in personnel was to keep his injury-ravaged team as fresh as possible.

Yems added: "We changed it around to rest some people because we've got six games left.

"It's all about preventing injuries. I don't want anyone to miss any games through injury.

"But also you've got pre-season and you don't want people coming back from injuries that they might not have had if you'd use your brain and keep them away from it."

The Reds make the long trip to Yorkshire to take on 11th-placed Bradford City on Tuesday evening (7pm kick-off).

But Yems admitted his thoughts hadn't yet turned to Crawley's upcoming battle with the Bantams.

He said: "I'm not bothered about Tuesday. You can't change anything.

"We'll just go there with the same attitude as we've shown all season and we'll see what goes on."