The victory for The Anvils was their first in the league since September last year as United continued their indifferent form against the sides at the lower end of the Division One table. There was a surprise name on the teamsheet for United as 46 year old reserve team manager Adrian Hendy donned the goalkeeper’s gloves for his debut in place of the absent Russ Tanner. Brad Lewis, Jason Taylor and Peter Featherstone returned to the starting XI, with Mike Gardner and Max Taylor absent, while Peter Cooper took his place on the bench. Wes Tate had an early sighter with a free kick after a foul on Matt Geard, but his effort as too high. Tom Gannon flashed an effort past Hendy’s post to fire a warning shot at the visiting defence before Taylor produced an inviting cross at the other end that was met by the head on Joe Summerbell, who was unable to keep his effort down. Tate was denied an opener by the fingertips of Andy Greaves after seeing a curling effort rebound off the far post. Two minutes later, United were left feeling good as their superiority paid off with the opening goal of the match.
Geard’s inswinging corner was flapped at by Greaves and the ball ended up at the feet of Dan Pollard who confidently finished for his third goal of the season. Aaron Capon was denied by the legs of Greaves soon after, but the lead was soon doubled as the flawless Pollard turned provider as his flick fell into the path of Tate who hit his 19th league goal of the season. United had a penalty shout turned down in the second half after Capon went down under a heavy challenge, but Crawley belied their league position and showed perseverance and determination to get back into the game. Cooper and George Marshall were introduced to freshen up the side, with Summerbell and Geard making way, but there was only one way this match was shaping up to go. With ten minutes to play, Gannon rifled and effort past Hendy to give The Anvils a glimmer of hope, with the goal visibly affecting the United side. Stevens dragged an effort wide for United as Crawley made United pay when Alex Read powered a header into the roof of the net to draw level. Tate had one more try with a fierce free-kick that stung the palms of Greaves before the turnaround was complete as Gannon and Ryan Taylor were given the freedom of the United half as the duo combined for Taylor to round off an amazing comeback and embarrass the United side