Harrogate Town succeeded where Leeds United had previously failed, when they left the People’s Pension Stadium, Crawley, with an impressive victory.
Simon Weaver made one change to his starting line up with Connor Hall returning from suspension to replace Jake Lawlor.
An early header by Aaron Martin from George Thomson’s corner was easily taken by Crawley keeper, Glenn Morris, but this only heralded a brilliant first half from Town.
On 13 minutes, Josh Falkingham found Josh March and his low cross was driven under the diving Morris by Martin to give Town the lead.
Simon Power had a shot blocked after Warren Burrell’s pass had sent him clear, but on the half hour Town scored again.
A Josh McPake run down the left, created space for March, whose run was ended by a Luke Wright foul just inside the area.
March took the spot kick himself and casually sent Morris the wrong way with his penalty.
It took Crawley forty minutes to register an attempt on Town’s goal when Sam Matthews cut in from the right and curled a left-footed effort well wide.
As half time beckoned, Harrogate added a third when Power gained possession in midfield and tried his luck from 20 yards out with the ball taking a slight deflection to give Morris no chance.
Although March brought a diving save from Morris early in the second half, it was Crawley, who had introduced three subs at the break, who began to look dangerous.
A short corner on the right caused the Town defence problems and although James Belshaw made an excellent double save, he was powerless to prevent sub,Tom Dallison blasting home the loose ball.
The Red Devil’s kept up the pressure and received a boost when Will Smith was given a straight red card for bringing down,Ashley Nadesan on the edge of the area.
Simon Weaver brought on fresh legs in the shape of Lawlor, Lloyd Kerry and Jack Muldoon and Town saw out the remaining twenty minutes without too much trouble, even bringing on new signing, Josh Andrews, for the final minutes.
This result lifts Harrogate up to 14th place in League 2.
Town,
Belshaw,Burrell,Smith,Hall,Francis,Power(Kerry 73),Falkingham,Thomson,McPake(Lawlor 70),March(Muldoon 73),Martin(Andrews 89).
Unused subs,Minter,Kiernan.
Scorers,Martin 13,March 30,Power 45.
Booked McPake. Sent Off W Smith.
Crawley,
Morris,Francomb,McNerny,Powell(Allarkahia 46),Nadesan(Maguire-Drew 46),Nichols,Matthews(Frost 76),Craig,M Wright(Dallison 46),Hessenthaler(Davies 76),J Wright.
Unused subs,Galach,Nelson
Scorer,Dallison 53
Booked,J Wright,Nichols.
Referee Dean Whitestone
By John Harrison
