Crawley boss Billy Smith slammed his side's defending after an embarrassing third defeat in a row against title-chasing Stafford Rangers at the Broadfield Stadium.

Individual errors cost Crawley a share of the points as they went down 4-2 and Smith was not happy after his side squandered the lead twice.

Smith said: "We can't defend as we did and expect to win games. I thought it was the best we had played all season attacking-wise for the first 15-20 minutes. Ellis Hooper is struggling for a little bit of confidence at the moment, but that's understandable as he's come a long way in a short space of time.

"I can't answer for the mistakes that were being made out there though.

Someone else has to take the blame. Stafford's first goal was a comedy of errors and the players have to take responsibility. I shouldn't have to tell these players about basic defending, but that is what has cost us the game.

"At times we are too nice I think. It's a step backwards for us but it's on to the next game now and getting the players motivated and up for it."

It's more than two months since the last home win in the league now and the poor home form at Broadfield is costing Smith's side any realistic chance of promotion.

He decided to go with three up front in the absence of the suspended Dave Stevens with Danny Hockton and Warren Bagnall starting alongside Nic McDonnell.

After 14 minutes Hockton saw a header palmed over the crossbar by keeper Ryan Price, but three minutes later Reds led when Bagnall guided a header into the corner from a Peter Fear free-kick.

However, just four minutes later, Stafford were level when Richard Beale worked his way into the box and past two defenders before placing his shot beyond keeper Andy Little.

Hockton restored Reds' lead as they continued to look dangerous as an attacking force, swivelling to fire home a fine effort on 28 minutes from a Ben Judge cross.

But the visitors levelled for a second time five minutes later when winger Alfie Carter worked his way into the Reds box and, despite offside appeals from the home side, Robert Heath slotted into an empty net.

Reds had a warning of what was to come when their sloppy play saw a misplaced pass picked up by Dennis Bailey and he set up Mark Jones who could only fire straight at Little.

But two minutes before the break Stafford did lead for the first time. Fear was guilty of an awful back pass and Jones latched onto the ball, seeing Little save both his effort and Bailey's follow-up before a mix-up between keeper and defenders allowed Jones a third chance and this time he fired home.

Right on half-time Stafford put the seal on their win when Carter burst down the left again after Hooper missed his tackle and Bailey was able to stab home number four to the disbelief of the 848 crowd.

After the break, Reds threatened briefly but never had any real cohesion or appetite for the challenge. Neil Le Bihan, Barry Moore and McDonnell all sent efforts just off target while Little made a good stop to deny Paul Szewczyk at the other end as the match drifted further and further from Crawley's reach.

Crawley: Little, Judge, Cooksey, Hooper (sub: Hemsley 45), Pullan, Fear (sub: Holmes 81), Bagnall, Moore, McDonnell, Hockton (Harkin 81), Le Bihan. Unused subs: Brake, McKoy.