MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town (1) v (1) Crawley Town

BEN GLADWIN rescued a point for Swindon in stoppage time after his late strike cancelled out Jack Powell’s first-half penalty. Total Sport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report from the County Ground.

Ben Gladwin almost handed Swindon the perfect start as the 29-year-old powerfully connected with Harry McKirdy’s cross to the back-post, but could only hit his effort straight at keeper Glenn Morris.

Swindon maintained the initial pressure as Ben Garner’s men sought to establish an early lead with McKirdy and debutant Brandon Cooper all with speculative attempts on goal.

Dominant in possession, the hosts limited Crawley to their own half for large periods of the first half with Reece Grego-Cox getting little service as he attempted to run in behind the Robins defence.

Josh Davison wasted the chance to mark his home debut with a goal in the 19th minute after being played through on goal by Ryan East, but took too many touches when a shot was needed as the chance went begging.

Davison then struggled to compose himself on the half-turn in Crawley’s box moments later after latching onto McKirdy’s cross to the back-post and shooting wide.

Crawley took their time to grow into the game but threatened with chances of their own as the clock ticked on. Jack Payne chipped wide from a well-worked corner move and Tom Nicholls had his shot saved after dispossessing Swindon Captain Dion Conroy on the halfway line and dribbling into Swindon’s box.

Swindon remained largely in control of proceedings despite Crawley improving, however a questionable penalty decision by Carl Brook five minutes before half time changed the dynamic of the match as he decided Jordan Lyden had fouled James Tilley in the box at a corner.

Jack Powell scored from the spot to give Crawley the lead at half time.

New signing Louie Barry came off the bench to make his debut at the start of the second-half but Crawley’s ability to break up play with fouls took Swindon’s sting out of the game as Tom Nicholls was shown a yellow card for throwing Lyden to the floor.

The introduction of Jonny Williams failed to interject the quality that Ben garner would’ve been hoping for as Swindon became their own worst enemy, failing to make simple passes and taking too long in their decision-making.

In contrast, Crawley made themselves hard to break down, sitting deep inside their half and frustrating Swindon to shooting from range with Morris rarely called into action between the sticks.

Five yellow cards throughout the second-half including two shown to Lyden and McKirdy highlighted the levels of disarray the match had descended into.

Crawley looked set to wrap up a second consecutive away victory before Ben Gladwin’s strike from the edge of the box recused a point in stoppage time for Ben Garner’s men.

Late drama saw Louis Reed shown a straight red card for dissent following the full-time whistle and he will now serve a ban.