Crawley boost survival hopes with late win over Stevenage

Crawley boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with a 3-1 home victory over mid-table Stevenage.

Brandon Hanlan cancelled out Harry Forster’s 50th-minute opener for Crawley before substitutes Armando Quitirna and Kamari Doyle hit late goals to give the Red Devils their first home win since November.

Forster threatened to break the deadlock after 18 minutes when his goal-bound shot from the edge of the area was expertly turned around the post by keeper Murphy Cooper.

Former Crawley forward Jordan Roberts shot into the side netting for Stevenage before Bradley Ibrahim was off target for the hosts after receiving a pass from Will Swan.

Crawley striker Rushian Hepburn-Murphy should have worked keeper Cooper just after the half-hour mark when set up by the recalled Tola Showunmi, but he dragged his shot wide.

The Red Devils went ahead five minutes after the break when Max Anderson set up Forster and he gave keeper Cooper no chance with a low shot from 15 yards.

Stevenage hit back only three minutes later when Hanlan headed in a corner from Dan Kemp.

Stevenage captain Carl Piergianni made a vital block to keep out a low shot from substitute Tyreece John-Jules.

Crawley regained the lead three minutes from time when the on-rushing Hepburn-Murphy had a shot parried by keeper Cooper and substitute Quitirna stroked home the rebound from close range.

Doyle sealed victory in the fourth minute of stoppage time with a fierce shot into the roof of the net.