Crawley comeback delights boss Harry Kewell

Posted Sunday, March 18, 2018 by PA

Crawley manager Harry Kewell left Brunton Park delighted with the way his team fought back from a two-goal deficit to earn a draw against Carlisle.

Carlisle extended their unbeaten run to six matches after the stalemate but Kewell was less happy with decisions that he felt robbed Crawley of the chance to claim all three points.

He said: “It was a great performance in difficult conditions after a long trip. The boys were excellent and it was no fault of their own that they found themselves two goals down.

“We deserved something from the first half. There was a penalty. Everyone thought it was except the referee.

“We tried to play the right way and created chances. I was always confident we were going to get something out of the game.”

Kewell also saluted his players for their mental toughness after conceding shortly after the restart, he added: “We showed strength and character to get to grips and deal with the challenge. We didn’t panic or get scared, but I am disappointed we didn’t win the game.

“We dominated possession and there were a of good plays in the game. All credit to the team for being strong enough to come back.

“We felt hard done by and deserved to be winners.”

Carlisle took a first-half lead when Richie Bennett lashed an unstoppable shot past Glenn Morris to find the bottom right hand corner before Hallam Hope scrambled in the Cumbrians’ second goal inside minute of the restart.

However, Karlan Ahearne Grant’s drilled low shot hauled Crawley back into the game beforre grabbing an equaliser nine minute from time when his shot from just inside the area squirmed out of Jack Bonham’s grasp.

Carlisle manager Keith Curle refused to blame loanee goalkeeper for the error which may have cost his side all three points.

Curle said: “With the form he has been in I would have expected him to save those.

“He’s a young man learning on the job having spent a lot of time on the bench with Brentford. I have full confidence in him.

“He has a good work ethic and will be back on the training pitch next week to learn from his mistakes.”

Curle added: “It was a disappointing result but that’s football and there’s still a lot to play for. This is no time for people to get off the bus.

“The gap is only four points. I am disappointed with the goals. They scored with a speculative shot. Crawley had three shots in the game and scored with two of them.

“We got our goals at the right time and started the second half well. We needed to keep our shape, but I’m to blame for the substitutions which didn’t come off today.

“However, we’ll focus on the positives because games are coming thick and fast.”