Game of two halves as Crawley are held

In the proverbial game of two halves Crawley had the better of the first period and opened up a two-goal lead only to be pegged back by Borough after the interval.

In an even opening it was Crawley who took the lead after 20 minutes.

Jack Downes set up Henry Mungwira down the left who cut in from the dead-ball line and crossed for Sam Halfpenny to shoot, whose effort was deflected in by Lui Sarrington.

Borough responded with a cross from the speedy Luke Strahan which Brad Harrison headed wide.

Strahan fired off target, before Crawley’s Jamie Sawyer also shot wide after being set up by Downes.

After 37 minutes Crawley doubled their lead, when Mungwira broke clear of their defence, pulling his cross back for Downes to score.

Just before the break Crawley’s Sam Peverall put a free kick into the side netting, while Brad Harrison had a chance to reduce the arrears but shot straight at Dean Bull.

If Crawley edged the first half they were well and truly battered in the second as Borough came storming our of the blocks.

The hosts were back in the game within a minute of the restart due to a mistake by Bull, who allowed a long ball to bounce and Matt Coles took advantage to head in

Five minutes later Matt Roles shot wide after getting the better of Scott Harvey, although Bull soon redeemed himself when he tipped over another effort from Roles.

As Borough dominated, Harrison headed straight at Bull.

However, they drew level after 63 minutes when Roles got the better of Darnell Muir-Matindale on the left and his cross was neatly turned in by Dave Greene.

To their credit Crawley rallied and after 68 minutes Mungwira broke clear but scuffed his shot.

Borough were still storming forward in search of a winner and Bull made an excellent one handed save from a deflected Dan O’Connor shot, while O’Connor wasted a good opportunity.

The visitors closed strongly with Sean Bishop and Aaron Wilson both spurning chances before Sam Halfpenny shot straight at Olagide in the Borough goal.

Crawley travel to Langford this weekend and host Risborough Rangers on Monday.