Thursday 26 December 2019 19:05, UK
Crawley clinched their first win in four attempts under new head coach John Yems with a 4-0 thrashing of Northampton.
The Cobblers had Shaun McWilliams and Harry Smith taken off on stretchers in stoppage time as they slipped out of the play-off places.
The match got the go-ahead after two pitch inspections and Crawley started on the front foot with Ollie Palmer forcing keeper Steve Arnold to make a low save before the recalled Ashley Nadesan had a shot blocked.
The Reds should have broken the deadlock in the 19th minute following a flowing move involving Bez Lubala and Lewis Young, but Panutche Camara shot wastefully wide at the far post.
Crawley took the lead in superb style, with Nathan Ferguson rifling in his fifth goal of the season from a tight angle in the 27th minute.
The Reds bossed the first half and Northampton rarely threatened in attack, although Sam Hoskins headed over a Nicky Adams free-kick at the far post.
Crawley keeper Glenn Morris showed alertness on the hour mark to claim a dangerous centre by Charlie Goode, but Lubala struck two minutes later to double the Reds' lead with a low shot into the corner for his 10th of the season.
The hosts continued to press and Palmer fired wide before a fierce shot by Ferguson was parried by keeper Arnold.
Arnold then came to the Cobblers' rescue by saving a goal-bound shot by Palmer with his legs.
Palmer was on target, however, in the 80th minute when he made it 3-0 at the near post following a cross by substitute Mason Bloomfield.
Bloomfield was on hand to add the fourth three minutes later after a defensive mistake by Scott Wharton.
