Crawley claim amazing draw after battling back from 4-0 down

Crawley Green fought back from 4-0 to earn an amazing 4-4 draw against Winslow United in Molten Spartan SML Division One on Saturday.

Drew Mitten’s brace and goals from Robert MacDonald and Ashley Farmer put the visitors in charge before the hosts battled back magnificently with man of the match Peter O’Donnell leading the revival.

Crawley had the better of the opening, but it was Winslow who took the lead after seven minutes when Mitten latched on to a long ball over the top to shoot first time past Dean Bull.

Oinusu Boateng saved from John Butler, before Mitten broke clear to drive home the visitors’ second on 15 minutes.

Winslow made it 3-0 in the 10 minutes later when Crawley’s defence failed to clear a long throw and Macdonald fired home.

Crawley battled hard to get back in the game as Liam Toomey set up Adam Reid who shot just over the bar, before O’Donnell’s header from Daniel Mead’s cross cannoned off the bar and Chris Harvey’s header was cleared off the line.

The visitors then made it four on 43 minutes when Mitten’s shot was blocked and fell kindly to Ashley Farmer to score.

However, Crawley hit back in injury time when Mead and Jamie Warne combined to set O’Donnell up to score.

The Maroons completely dominated the second half and Toomey and Nick Nolan both had efforts go wide before Winslow conceded a penalty for handball from a Butler corner and Warne (51) smashed home from the spot.

Butler went close from Mead’s cross before O’Donnell Toomey’s cross on 68 minutes.

In complete control, Chris Gibson went close to equalising from Warne’s cross and O’Donnell headed over Lui Sarrington’s centre before the hosts deservedly equalised with five minutes to go when Gibson latched on to Toomey’s ball and fired past Boateng.

Crawley continued press for a winner, but had to settle for a draw.

Tonight (Wednesday) Crawley go to Baldock Town, they visit Sun Postal Sports on Saturday and host Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday (November 27).

Attendance: 68.