Rushian Hepburn-Murphy double helps ease Crawley drop fears

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy scored two first-half goals and Panutche Camara hit the other as Crawley boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with a crucial 3-1 home victory over Exeter.

Crawley’s third win in seven games since Scott Lindsey’s  return as manager cuts the gap between them and safety to three points with two games remaining.

Hepburn-Murphy and Camara both struck in the space of two minutes to put the hosts in control.

Hepburn-Murphy scored at the second attempt from close range after his initial attempt was parried by Joe Whitworth, and then turned provider to set up Camara after a quick break, Camara netting with a cool finish.

Hepburn-Murphy made it 3-0 from point blank range after a Camara shot was blocked after 24 minutes, before Caleb Watts replied for Exeter a minute later by heading in Ed Francis’ cross.

Substitute Tony Yogane shot into the side netting for the off-song Grecians who laboured to get back into the game.

Keeper Whitworth was fortunate to escape a straight red card for handling outside the area before midfielder Francis  was sent off a minute from time after picking up two bookings.