Scott Lindsey says Crawley lack experience as winless start goes on

Crawley boss Scott Lindsey admitted his side were struggling with a lack of experience after their 2-0 home defeat to Tranmere left them with only one point from their opening five league games.

The Red Devils are just outside the bottom two after making the worst start in 15 years as a football league club.

Second-half goals from Nathan Smith and Omari Patrick extended Tranmere’s unbeaten league start to the campaign, and Lindsey’s felt Rovers’ greater experience played a significant part in the outcome.

He said: “We are very young and naive. Tranmere have more than 2,000 league starts in their side whereas we only had barely 500.

“We’re light of men in my opinion. We need experience, nous and know-how to see a game through.”

Lindsey confessed adding to the squad is “vital” and he was finding it “draining” to see so many chances being missed.

He added: “We’re not done yet in the window – it’s vital for sure and we need to add to the group.

“It’s a new team and you have to be patient but we’re nine points off where we should be. We should have at least 10 points.”

Rovers boss Andy Crosby admitted he “couldn’t ask for more” after a return of eight points from their opening four games.

“In the end it’s great to walk away with a clean sheet and three points,” he said.

“Crawley grew into the game and had some real opportunities.”

Patrick Brough made an outstanding goal-line clearance from Harry McKirdy in the first half and Crosby said: “I couldn’t believe it – that was outstanding defending.

“We knew the way they wanted to play, they want to build momentum and move and pass and go forward, but we dealt with that and we had to fight and scrap for it.

“We went in at half time not having done too well, but a couple of tweaks made all the difference and we earned the points in the end.”