Crawley 1 Luton 2: Reds knocked out of FA Cup

Despite Reds dominating the first half it was the visitors who took the lead in the 53rd minute through McQuoid.

Reds then drew level ten minutes later through a headed goal by Matt Harrold.

However just when it looked like Crawley had done enough to force a replay, Luton’s McQuoid struck with his second goal of the match to put Luton through to the second round.

Crawley made two changes to the side which beat York City 1-0 last week with Christian Scales and Roarie Deacon starting in place of Mitch Hancox, who was not allowed to play by his parent club Birmingham City and Shamir Fenelon who was on the bench.

Luton also made two changes with goalkeeper Elliott Justham preferred to Mark Taylor and central midfielder Olly Lee in for Nathan Doyle.

Reds made all the running in the opening exchanges as Harrold’s header set-up Deacon for a shot which was deflected wide.

Jimmy Smith then had a volley deflected wide before at the other end Jonathan Smith hot a shot from long-range which forced Darryl Flahavan to make a fine save.

Deacon set-up Edwards for another chance which was caught by Justham on the half hour.

Matt Harrold provided an effort for Kimmy Smith who burst into the penatly area but curled his shot wide from a dangerous position.

Keeping the pressure on, Edwards supplied a good ball fro Rhys Murphy who lifted his shot over the bar.

Luton had their best chance of the half a few minutes before half-time when Marriott went on a run down their left wing and crossed for Luke Guttridge who drove wide.

The Hatters took the lead eight minutes into the second half when McQuoid curled a well-taken shot from outside the area over keeper Flahavan.

Harrold then forced Justham to make a diving save on the line with a powerful low strike from just outside the box.

Harrold scored an equaliser for Crawley in the 63rd minute when he rose highest for Simon Walton’s corner and nodded into the net.

Reds nearly added a second goal in similar style moments later from another Walton corner which this time was headed narrowly wide by Sonny Bradley.

Edwards then blasted a shot over the bar from just outside the area.

Just as it looked like Crawley had done enough to force a replay, Luton scored a late winner with one minute of normal time to go.

Substitute Paul Benson put McQouid through to score his second goal of the game and put Reds out of the cup for another year.

REDS: Flahavan, Scales, Walton (Rooney 85), Bradley, Edwards, Jimmy Smith, Young, Harrold, Deacon (Fenelon 87) Yorwerth, Murphy (Barnard 83).

Unused subs: Preston, Fenelon, Ashton, Tomlin, Jenkins

HATTERS: Justham, Jonathan Smith, Cuthbert, Lawless (Green 70), Griffiths, Marriott (Benson 60), Lee, Long, Guttridge, McQuoid, Wilkinson.

Unused subs: Potts, McGeehan, McCourt, O’Brien, Tyler

REFEREE: Nick Kinseley (Essex)

ATTENDANCE: 1,929 (487 away)

MAN OF THE MATCH: Gwion Edwards

For more of Jon and Joe Rigby’s photos click here:

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