HOLLINS OPENS ACCOUNT AS RED DEVILS BOSS
Crawley Town earned their first point for new manager John Hollins with a creditable 2-2 Conference draw at Halifax on Saturday.

An early Daryl Clare penalty gave Crawley a lead they deservedly held until half-time, but two goals in six minutes from the Shaymen left the Reds on the back foot. However, they got back on level terms when loan striker Tris Whitman netted his first Crawley goal eight minutes from time.

Halifax had previously won seven and drawn one of their eight Conference home games, with the two goals Crawley scored doubling the total the home side have conceded at The Shay this season.

Hollins will be aiming for his first victory when Crawley host FA Cup giantkillers Tamworth in the Conference at Broadfield Stadium on Saturday.

Hollins is expected to be able to add Simon Wormull, Jamie Cade and Danny Ekoku to the squad that traveled to Halifax, while Neil Jenkins’s thigh injury will be further assessed this week. Whitman will not play in the game as part of his loan agreement with Tamworth.

Result: Saturday 3 December (Nationwide Conference)
Halifax Town 2 (Forrest 57, Grant 62)
Crawley Town 2 (Clare 13 pen, Whitman 82)
Att: 1,616
Crawley Town: Smith, Judge, Simpemba, Woozley, Opinel (Sub: Blackburn 75), Giles, Armstrong (Sub: Whitman 69), Scully, Brown, Burton, Clare.
Subs not used: Ward, Mendy, Keehan.

INJURY NEWS
- Simon Wormull missed Saturday's trip to Halifax with a viral infection.
- Jamie Cade suffered a dead leg in last week's reserve match at Brighton. He missed the Halifax match but should return to the squad this weekend.
- Neil Jenkins has missed the last two weeks with a thigh strain and will be further assessed this week.
- Danny Ekoku missed the Halifax trip with a back injury but should return to the squad this weekend.