Ben Abbey is back to help Crawley fulfil their dream of a place in the Conference.

The 23-year-old striker, who scored a goal every two games in his first spell with Reds, rejoined Billy Smith's men last night and will lead the attack in tomorrow's home game against Worcester City.

Abbey scored 46 goals in 97 games in two years at Broadfield Stadium after Smith signed him 1from Maidenhead United in September 1997.

His exploits earned him a crack in the full-time ranks when he joined Oxford United in a £16,000 deal. He made 13 appearances for the Us, scoring once, but was released and had a spell with Aldershot last season before joining third division Southend United.

Abbey finished top scorer at Roots Hall with 13 goals in 31 appearances, but he was released at the end of the season and short spells with Conference pair Stevenage and Margate this campaign have come to nothing.

But Abbey has kept himself fit and trained with the club again on Tuesday.

He said: "I'm really pleased to be back at Crawley, especially as they are in such a strong position in the league and looking for promotion.

"Coming back here will give me a chance to show Billy, the fans and everyone else what I have to give to the game."

Smith believes Abbey's goals could make the difference in their promotion bid.

"It's nice that the goals we have scored have been shared around, but we haven't got an out and out goalscorer who will nick us a win in a tight game with a goal.

"I've kept in touch with Ben and he has really improved as a player. He's physically stronger and much more aware of what's around him, before he was just a raw talent."

Providing top scorer Warren Bagnall recovers from a thigh injury, Smith may employ Abbey in a three-man strikeforce tomorrow when a win would stretch Reds' lead at the top of the Dr Martens League to four points.

But Smith is without Marc Pullan, Danny Carroll, Jimmy Dack, John Ugbah and Keith Sharman while skipper Luke Anderson will have a fitness test on his ankle injury.

FA Cup heroes Bedford Town visit Priory Lane tomorrow to face Eastbourne Borough searching for more knockout glory in the Trophy.

Paul Stark is set to continue in goal as regular keeper Dean Lightwood is injured, while Matt Crabb may be fit enough to take a place on the substitutes' bench as he battles back from an ankle injury.

LEWES are hoping to have Joe Clark fit for tomorrow's trip to Berkhamsted in Ryman division two while Horsham expect to have Tommy Warrilow back from a neck injury as they go to high-flying Leyton Pennant in the same division.

Hornets are chasing a seventh successive win.