Colchester happy at home as they see off Crawley

Posted Sunday, October 14, 2018 by PA

Colchester boosted their promotion hopes with a 3-1 home win over Crawley to keep them in the top seven.

John McGreal’s side made it three on the bounce at home after Luke Norris netted his eighth of the season late on against 10-man Crawley.

Sammie Szmodics had opened the scoring after converting at the far post from a Courtney Senior cross in the 27th minute.

Crawley striker Ollie Palmer’s header was saved at point-blank range by keeper Rene Gilmartin, before at the other end Glenn Morris denied both Norris and Tom Eastman.

The visitors equalised five minutes before half-time through Filipe Morais, who scored from the spot after Luke Prosser had tripped Luke Gambin in the area.

But Colchester restored their lead in the 57th minute thanks to Frank Nouble’s excellent finish, after Norris had done superbly to set him up and they could have been further ahead but for Joe Maguire heading wide.

Prosser denied Palmer on the line before Szmodics saw a shot pushed away as both teams sought a fourth goal in the game, but it was Colchester who put the game to bed through Norris in the 90th minute.

Crawley defender Bondz N’Gala was shown a straight red card deep into stoppage-time for kicking out at Norris, as United took another three points at home.