Full time: Crawley Town 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2

​CRAWLEY Town crashed out of the Sussex Senior Cup after going down 2-1 at home to local rivals Brighton and Hove Albion.

As expected Crawley made changes to the side that were held 2-2 by Kidderminster, with youngsters Ben King, Max Lake-Edwards and Byron Nappa all given starts.

More interesting was to see which first-teamers boss Steve Evans decided needed a run out. Thomas Pinault, Danny Forrest and Ben Smith all played while Calum Willock was given another opportunity to try and win a new contract by impressing the manager.

Captaining the side was Karl Broadhurst, who was back in the team after missing Saturday’s clash having suffered a fall in the shower on the morning of the game.

Crawley had made the positive decision of not charging for admission in this cup tie and the faithful who had turned up were rewarded with two goals in the first 15 minutes.

First veteran striker Gary Hart slipped away from the Reds defence before slotting the ball under the advancing Nick Jordan, before Forrest equalised on 14 minutes after the striker jumped highest to meet Thomas Pinault’s swirling corner.

Crawley nearly went ahead when young striker King almost capitalised on Pelling’s fumble, but the keeper redeemed himself by making a second low save at the forwards feet.

Lewis Killen also had a chance to grab the lead for the home side but his powerful drive flew over the bar.

For Albion,  Kevin McCleod had a firm shot saved by Jordan before Reds substitute Barry Cogan scuffed a shot wide.

But it was the visitors who struck next, George Barker hitting the net with a fine effort from outside the area that was too good for Jordan.

Pinault almost grabbed a fluke equaliser for Town when his miss directed shot almost caught Pelling out, but the big keeper just got back to save on his line.

Smith also came close to forcing extra time when he curled the ball just wide of the post after getting on the end of Willock’s lay-off.

Malcolm came within a whisker of scoring a deserved equaliser with the last kick of the game but his free kick slid past the post.

Crawley Town: Jordan, Carter (Cogan), Napper, Pinault, Lake-Edwards, Broadhurst, Forrest, Smith, Willock, King (Malcolm), Killeen

Unused subs: Rayner, Nayee, O'Neil

Albion: Pelling, Whing, James Smith, Jamie Smith, Lewis Dunk, Hall, Brinkhurst, Livermore, Barker, Hart, McCleod

Unused subs: Thomson, Walker, Strong, Hilder, Hayward

Attendance: 524