Late Klaidi Lolos goal pegs back Stockport and earns Crawley a point

Posted Tuesday, March 19, 2024 by PA

Klaidi Lolos scored for the third successive game as Crawley clinched a 1-1 home draw to deny promotion-chasing Stockport the chance to cut the gap on Sky Bet League Two leaders Mansfield to just two points.

Antoni Sarcevic headed the Hatters in front in the 61st minute but Lolos’ leveller seven minutes from time gave Crawley only their second home draw in nearly 11 months.

Stockport, with only two wins from their previous nine away league games, had an early escape when recalled defender Laurence Maguire put a free header wide from a cross by Kellan Gordon.

Maguire had earlier set up Harry Forster but his shot was blocked by Stockport goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe.

The visitors threatened when Callum Camps broke through and and his powerful shot struck the outside of the post.

Stockport were indebted to Hinchliffe shortly before the break when Jeremy Kelly played in Danilo Orsi and the keeper beat away his goalbound shot.

At the other end, Corey Addai came to Crawley’s rescue shortly after the interval by producing fine saves to deny Kyle Wootton and Isaac Olaofe.

But Stockport broke the deadlock just after the hour when Sarcevic struck with a free header at the far post from Todd Kane’s corner.

However, Crawley equalised seven minutes from time when Greece-born Lolos burst through and fired past Hinchliffe, meaning Stockport have won only one of their last seven games.