Crawley’s Harry Kewell retains play-off hope after late drama against Morecambe

Posted Sunday, March 11, 2018 by PA

Crawley head coach Harry Kewell has his eyes on the top seven despite his side only managing a 1-1 draw at home to lowly Morecambe.

A game that entered stoppage time goalless exploded to life with the visitors taking the lead through 19-year-old substitute Callum Lang before Karlan Ahearne-Grant levelled for the Crawley two minutes later.

The draw ended Crawley’s five-match winning run at home but did move them to within five points of the play-off places in League Two.

Former Leeds and Liverpool star Kewell said: “I was happy we got back into it, but ultimately I am disappointed we did not win the game.

“We will take the point, the gap is now five points and we’ll see what happens.

“We have improved and we can look forward to trying things.”

Kewell felt struggling Morecambe provided a stiff challenge for his men, and added: “Morecambe dug in and defended, and their keeper was excellent.

“Fair play to Morecambe. They waited for their opportunity and they got it through sloppiness from us.

“But we didn’t deserve to lose the game.”

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley, whose side are six points clear of the drop, said he felt sick as his side let points slipped from their grasp.

He said: “All the action happened in stoppage time really, and I felt sick at the end.

“That extra two points would have moved us up and we would have been eight points clear.

“We wanted to win, we got a point but we were desperate for three.

“Unfortunately, the players switched off but you have to take it on the chin.”

Morecambe, with only one win from their last nine games, were beaten by a single goal at Accrington in midweek and Bentley says their game management must improve.

He added: “We’ve not had a smash and grab win this year and game management is the thing.

“Crawley didn’t have a centre forward. They had four at the back, four central midfielders and two wide men.

“It was the first time I’ve seen that since Barcelona played Manchester United, but to be fair they worked it quite well.”