On a pristine surface at the Checkatrade.com Stadium, United found themselves up against no less than 13 of the Red Devils squad that played some part in their previous Sky Bet League One fixture against Chesterfield.
Despite this, United gave a great account of themselves and drew plaudits from many home fans with their playing style and attitude.
It was United who created the first chance on eight minutes when Lucas Mann latched onto a mistake by Dean Leacock but Brian Jensen blocked his close-range shot.
However, a minute later Lanre Oyebanjo cut inside Peter Featherstone to fire past the returning Adam Sargent from 20 yards.
Jimmy Smith side-footed wide of goal twice in as many minutes before Shaun Miller, a recent loan signing from Coventry City opened his account with a close-range header at the far post from Lewis Young’s left-wing cross.
Mann again tested Jensen at the other end, with the giant Danish ‘keeper turning his 20-yard drive over the bar.
Miller made it 3-0 after 33 minutes as he side-footed past Sargent from Gavin Tomlin’s right wing cross.
The Coventry loanee completed his hat-trick four minutes later, volleying the loose ball past Sargent after the United ‘keeper had denied Smith.
Sonny Bradley missed a free header from Conor Henderson’s cross on 56 minutes before Sargent made a fantastic save at point-blank range from the Tomlin.
United pulled a goal back with ten minutes to go as the impressive Bailo Camara came in off the left-wing to curl in a side-footed effort from 15 yards to the delight of the travelling players and supporters.
Three minutes later, Bradley met Henderson’s corner with a powerful side-foot finish from ten yards to round off the victory.

United: Sargent; Capon, Featherstone, Stevens (Jarvis), Davidson ©, Gardner (Lewis), Taylor, Summerbell, Tate, Mann (Eason), Camara

Crawley: Brian Jensen; Lanre Oyebanjo, Conor Henderson, Dean Leacock (Bobson Bawling), Sonny Bradley, Jimmy Smith (Charles Banya), Joe Walsh ©, Lewis Young, Shaun Miller, Gavin Tomlin (Ryan Richfond), Marvin Elliott