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Crawley secure home win at Broadfield Stadium

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Crawley 2-1 Ebbsfleet

Crawley kept their play-off dream alive as they beat Ebbsfleet United in what was the Fleet's first away loss of the year.

Steve Evans made no changes to his side which started in Midweek while the visitors welcomed back top scorer Magno Vieira who donned the armband in the absence of Peter Holmes.

In what was a game of few chances, all three goals came in the last fifteen minutes while Ebbsfleet also suffered the loss of Dean Pooley who was stretchered off five minutes before halftime with a knee injury.

With the game goalless and seemingly heading for a draw before Evans made an inspired change for Crawley, replacing Ben Smith with Michael Malcolm on 73 minutes. Two minutes later Barry Cogan delivered a venomous cross with the ball falling to Malcolm to nod home and give Crawley the lead.

Stefan Bailey had an immediate opportunity to respond for the visitors and should have done better with a header. Ebbsfleet then changed their formation, throwing on Scott Ginty into a three man attack as they searched for an equaliser.

But as they pushed forward they also left gaps at the back and Charles Ademeno was able to make the result safe for Crawley with four minutes left to play. The young striker hit the back of the net with a well taken volley after a long ball had been flicked into his path.

As the game entered stoppage time Moses Ashikodi fired home a free kick for his sixth goal in as many games but it was too late for Ian Daish's team who were left to reflect on their first defeat on the road in seven outings.

Crawley bookings: Rents, Pinault.

Ebbsfleet United bookings: Crooks.

Att: 983.

Ref: Simon Long (Suffolk).