Klaidi Lolos hits last-gasp winner for Crawley against Tranmere

Posted Sunday, September 17, 2023 by PA

Substitute Klaidi Lolos hit a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Crawley secured back-to-back home league wins for the first time in nearly 11 months with a hard fought 3-2 victory over Tranmere.

The Reds twice fought back to level before Lolos powered into the area to fire the winner past helpless keeper Luke McGee.

Nigel Adkins went into his first game in interim charge of Tranmere admitting there was “no quick fix” and that “togetherness” from everyone was the key to turning the club’s fortunes around.

Reece McAlear put an early chance over for Rovers before the recalled Charlie Jolley struck to put the visitors ahead on 21 minutes.

A through ball by Sam Taylor put Jolley in the clear and he raced through to coolly beat keeper Corey Addai and steer the ball into an empty net for Rovers’ first goal in five games.

Crawley showed little attacking threat until late in the first half when Ronan Darcy forced keeper McGee to claim his dangerous low cross with Danilo Orsi lurking, and later Darcy had a low shot blocked.

Jolley threatened to double Tranmere’s lead seconds into the re-start when his goal-bound shot was parried by Addai.

Liam Kelly and Nick Tsaroulla both went close for the Reds before Darcy levelled with his first goal for the club, a deflected shot just after the hour mark.

Sam Taylor restored Rovers’ lead on 67 minutes, blasting home a Brad Walker pass, but Tsaroulla made it 2-2 three minutes later with a left-footed strike from Will Wright’s corner.

Crawley pushed hard for their late winner and former Oxford City forward Lolos grabbed it in the sixth minute of added time.