Hatters lay down a marker at Crawley

CHAMPIONS Crawley Town were held to a hard-fought 1-1 draw by battling Hatters last night, who proved they are a match for anyone in this division, writes Mark Wood.

Big spending Crawley raced out of the blocks, taking the lead through Richard Brodie’s strike in the opening seconds, but Luton fought back and deservedly levelled thanks to Alex Lawless’ goal midway through the first half.

Both teams were evenly matched throughout, but despite the Red Devils being reduced to 10 men for the last 18 minutes Town couldn’t find a way through.

Luton made two changes from the side that thrashed Southport 6-0 at Kenilworth Road as Claude Gnakpa came in for Amari Morgan-Smith, who dropped to the bench, while Paul Carden replaced Keith Keane, ruled out through injury and illness.

Crawley began like a house on fire as they grabbed the lead after just 36 seconds.

Town could only clear a corner as far as their nemesis Brodie on the edge of the area and his first-time effort through a forest of bodies deceived keeper Mark Tyler, when it really should have brought a routine save.

Crawley almost made it two on seven minutes when a long throw was flicked on by Craig McAllister and Brodie side-footed against the bar from close range.

Gnakpa threatened on 10 minutes when he skipped past his man, but his low drive was blocked by a defender.

Josh Simpson headed a corner over, while Tyler had to be alert to turn Scott Neilson’s dipping header over the bar on 17 minutes.

Gnakpa was just about thwarted moments later after a lightning break by Jason Walker, while an effort from the livewire Neilson was deflected just wide.

But the Hatters battled their way back into the game and grabbed an equaliser on 29 minutes.

Robbie Willmott and Walker combined well to leave the former U’s man one-on-one with Scott Shearer and, although the Crawley keeper saved with his legs, Lawless was on hand to ram the ball into the unguarded net.

That goal silenced the raucous Broadfield Stadium as Town started to control the game as a Gnakpa effort seemed to hit Kyle McFadzean’s arm on its way behind just past the half hour mark..

On the cusp of half time Willmott picked out the onrushing Freddie Murray from a clever corner routine and the left-back’s header flashed just over.

Despite going in level, Town could have been ahead if their final pass or last touch had been better.

In the opening moments of the second period Lawless’ ball across the face of goal, while Brodie took a tumble to no avail at the other end. Willmott flashed a free-kick over on 55 minutes, while a Walker pull-back was then cut out.

Another flowing Luton move ended in Willmott dragging a cross-shot across goal just past the hour and Walker then failed to connect with a scissor-kick.

The complexion of the game changed though when Crawley were reduced to 10 men with 18 minutes to go as Charlie Wassmer picked up two bookings in the space of four minutes.

The first ended a flamboyant Gnakpa run on the edge of the area and the second was a reckless sliding challenge on Walker that left the referee with little alternative.

Despite their reduced number Crawley continued to press forward, although Luton played an attacking gambit bringing on Matthew Barnes-Homer for Carden.

Crawley looked to be finishing the stronger, but Town almost snatched a winner three minutes from time when Lawless’ classy curler was tipped round the post by Shearer.

Four minutes were added but neither team could find a way through and it was left for Crawley to collect and parade the Conference trophy to their jubilant fans after the final whistle.