TWO THOUSAND AND SIX UNBEATEN FOR REDS!
Crawley Town opened 2006 by stretching their unbeaten run to six games with a 2-2 home Conference draw against Woking.

The Red Devils drew 0-0 with the Cards at Kingfield on Boxing Day, and though both teams would have been better off winning one game each, boss John Hollins can be pleased his Crawley side have remained unbeaten since the end of November, emerging unscathed from contests against Halifax. Tamworth, Eastbourne, Stevenage and Woking twice.

Crawley fell behind to a first-half goal from Conference top scorer Justin Richards in front of a crowd of 2,073 at Broadfield Stadium, but surged ahead after the break as their own star marksman Daryl Clare took his tally to eight. First Clare coolly converted a penalty given for handball and then he powered home a header from a pin-point Neil Jenkins cross after 64 minutes. Woking had another quality strike of their own to come though, as midfielder Ian Selley curled in an equaliser 11 minutes from time.

Crawley are at home on Saturday as they host York City at the Broadfield Stadium. The Red Devils gained a point from a 0-0 draw against the Minstermen at Kit Kat Crescent on the opening day of the season. Danny Davidson scored the winning goal in a 1-0 success for Crawley when York made their first visit to Crawley last season.

Billy McEwan's side made a promising start to this campaign but hit a sticky patch before Christmas and their 3-1 Boxing Day win over Yorkshire rivals Scarborough was their only success in their last eight Conference games. They were within a minute of completing a double over the Seadogs on Monday only to concede a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw. Crawley's Danny Brown will be available for selection for the York game after serving a one-match ban against Woking.

Holders Crawley then host Bognor Regis Town in the Sussex Senior Cup quarter-finals next Tuesday (10th). Please note the date for this match has been changed from the previously announced date of Wednesday 11th .

Result: Monday 26 December (Nationwide Conference)
Woking 0
Crawley Town 0
Att: 2,643
Crawley Town: Smith, Simpemba, Woozley, Mendy, Scully, Brown, Jenkins, Wormull (Blackburn 90), Opinel, Burton, Clare.
Unused subs: Ward, El-Abd, Grant, Whitman.

Result: Monday 2 January (Nationwide Conference)
Crawley Town 2 (Clare 60 pen, 64)
Woking 2 (Richards 32, Selley 79)
Att: 2,073
Crawley Town: Smith, Judge, Simpemba, Mendy, Scully, Opinel, Jenkins, Wormull, Blackburn, Burton, Clare.
Unused subs: Ward, El-Abd, Grant, Whitman, Marshall.

HOLLINS HAPPY WITH PROGRESS AS SCULLY EXTENDS STAY
Crawley Town manager John Hollins said he was pleased with his side's efforts in the 2-2 home draw against Woking even though results achieved by the teams around them meant they failed to climb the table.

“We said we wanted to improve all the time and get out of the bottom five or six and we are making progress. Woking are a benchmark for the sort of team we have to beat. It was two quality strikes by them that got them their two goals.

“I was disappointed in the first half but we showed guts, drive and character in the second half. It was a good game and we would have liked to get three points but we're at home again on Saturday and we'll be looking for a win then.

“In terms of quality in the squad I like what I'm working with. The individuals I've got are getting better I've made them think there's now a battle to get in the team that they didn't have before. Lee Blackburn and Leonard Mendy have come in and done well today, for example.”

Hollins revealed he had agreed to extend winger Tony Scully's loan from League Two Notts County and was hoping to do the same with forward Tris Whitman, who has also impressed since joining on a temporary transfer from Tamworth.

The Crawley manager also confirmed that he had spoken to ex-Bristol Rovers winger Ryan Williams before the player signed for Aldershot this week.

“I've been polishing the transfer window so we can have a clear view through it and see if there's anyone good out there we can improve the squad with,” he joked.

SUSPENSION NEWS
- Dave Woozley served the first game of a three-match ban against Woking today following his sending-off at Kingfield on Boxing Day.
- Danny Brown served a one-match suspension today after collecting five bookings for the season.