Palmer strikes late for Crawley

Posted Sunday, September 01, 2019 by PA

Ollie Palmer hit a dramatic 90th-minute winner as Crawley clinched their third successive win in league and cup with a 1-0 home victory over Cheltenham.

This ended the Robins’ run of four league games unbeaten and they still have not scored away from home this season.

Crawley, fresh from their 1-0 win over Premier League Norwich in the Carabao Cup, started on the front foot and top scorer Bez Lubala shot narrowly over after being set up by Filipe Morais on the edge of the area.

Cheltenham defender Charlie Raglan twice had to receive treatment following collisions and a head wound needed a bandage before the interval after a challenge with Morais.

The Robins should have gone ahead nine minutes after the break, when Sean Long cut the ball back for George Lloyd, but he failed to make contact with the goal at his mercy.

Crawley’s first shot on target arrived in the 66th minute, when Morais fed Palmer and his low effort was gathered by goalkeeper Scott Flinders.

The Reds threatened when a goal-bound shot by Lubala was parried by Flinders, who then saved a low drive by substitute Ashley Nadesan.

Former Lincoln striker Palmer beat off two challenges to hit the winner for Crawley in the last minute and record his third goal of the season.