Sutton United 3, Crawley Town 0: Two early goals and a late strike condemn Reds to defeat
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The big team news for the Reds was Remi Oteh was back in the starting line-up for the first time since he picked up an injury against Forest Green Rovers.
Tony Craig and Ashley Nadesan were also back in the starting line-up.
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Hide AdBut it was a nightmare start for Lewis Young's men as goals from Alistair Smith and Richie Bennett gave the home side an early 2-0 lead.
Smith scored with a thunderbolt from outside the area on four minutes before Bennett headed in from a wide free-kick three minutes later.
After the initial shock, Crawley thought back and Tom Nichols curled one inches over the bar before Oteh fired wide after good work from George Francomb and Nadesaon.
Just before the break, it could have been 3-0 to Sutton but that man Glenn Morris pulled off a great save.
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Hide AdWill Randell skips past Craig and looked certain to slot home but Morris uses his alien-like reactions to jump in front of the shot.
Both sides had chances in the second half with Donovan Wilson having a golden chance to make it 3-0 after rounding Craig, but he shot way over the bar.
Jake Hessenthaler, Nichols and substitute Isaac Hutchinson all had shots which tested Dean Bouzanis but none could beat the Aussie keeper.
And it was the home side who got the all-important third goal of the game when Smith got his second with four minutes to go.
There were 459 Reds fans at Gander Green Lane.
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Hide AdHave you seen? 'It's been a long 24 hour period for the boys and staff' - Crawley Town's Lewis Young after Mansfield Town defeat | Crawley Town player ratings - Reds recent good run comes to an end at Mansfield Town - but who stood out for the Reds? | Crawley Town owners make statement on announcement of John Yems' suspension over 'credible' accusations of discriminatory language
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