Fleetwood Town 1 : 0 Crawley Town - Sarcevic gives Fleetwood lift

Posted Sunday, January 25, 2015 by PA

Antoni Sarcevic fired Fleetwood into the play-off chase by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over struggling Crawley.

Sarcevic fired home a low free-kick at the end of the first half to clinch his side a first home win since November.

The visitors made the brighter start but could not turn possession into chances.

The lively Gwion Edwards went closest, running unchallenged into the Fleetwood penalty area with only a last-gasp block from Fleetwood skipper Mark Roberts preventing the need for Chris Maxwell to make a save.

The visitors' confidence was short-lived as they gradually retreated and that played into Fleetwood's hands.

Sarcevic looked the most likely to find the net as he fired in a sharp volley which was tipped over by Crawley goalkeeper Lewis Price.

Before the break Sarcevic gave Fleetwood the lead. Jamie Proctor drew a soft foul from Marvin Elliott as he ran sideways across the 18 yard line and Sarcevic's low free-kick squirmed under the Crawley wall and Price.

The home side could have doubled their advantage within minutes of the restart when Jeff Hughes headed on Josh Morris' corner but was unable to guide it under the bar.

Sarcevic almost struck a second as he beat Price to a long ball over the top, but his lob came back off the woodwork.

Gareth Evans could have put the game beyond doubt with five minutes left but was just unable to stab the ball past Price having surged into the area.

Steven Schumacher then proved the late saviour for Fleetwood when he cleared Darren Ward's corner off the goal-line.