Captain Ian Simpemba has warned Crawley not to let their best chance of reaching the Conference play-offs slip away.

The centre back will lead Reds out against his former club Woking tomorrow for what he believes is a make-or-break game.

Crawley are fourth but suffered their worst defeat of the campaign when they were knocked out of the FA Trophy in the fourth round on Tuesday by Conference south Cambridge City at The Broadfield Stadium.

It was only their second home loss and came after a string of unconvincing performances.

Woking are one point behind Reds in eighth and have lost only once in their last 12 league matches.

Simpemba, who had a loan spell with the Cards when he was at Wycombe two years ago, is hoping a players meeting after the Cambridge game will lead to a big improvement at the Kingfield.

He said: "Tuesday was probably the worst we have played. After the game all the players sat in the dressing room and talked for about 45 minutes.

"We were saying how crucial it is not to let this opportunity slip through our fingers.

"It is all well and good saying this is our first season in the Conference and we can build on it but the club might never find itself in this position again.

"You don't know what will happen in the future. This might be the only opportunity this club and the players have of reaching the play-offs so we have to grasp it while we can.

"We are going through a sticky patch at the moment and we have not played well in the last four or five games, although we have got results.

"It is hard to put your finger on why but whatever it is we need to snap out of it and fast because the Woking game is massive for us.

"If we win then all is forgotten and we can build on it but if we lose then we could get sucked down.

"It would not be the end of our season because there is a lot of football to be played but it is easy to get on a slippery slope and see it all go wrong if we start losing games."

Manager Francis Vines, who played for Woking, believes Tuesday's horror show may actually help Crawley's league form.

He said: "I don't want to think what would happen if we played like we did against Cambridge at Woking. But we cannot play any worse and I am expecting the players to go out and put things right.

"It is difficult to do well in both the Trophy and the league, unless you are cruising in your division.

"Our squad was probably not big enough to do it, so going out could be a blessing in disguise. But we will only know that if our performances improve in the league and we get back to winning."

Woking boss Glenn Cockerill has warned his side to prepare for a backlash by Crawley.

He said: "Francis Vines has done a magnificent job in their first season in the Conference and they have done much better than most people expected.

"They are a hard working side and will be out to bounce back after the disappointment of their defeat against Cambridge."

Striker Charlie MacDonald, who has missed the last two matches with a long-standing groin problem, could be a surprise inclusion in the squad.

Reds are likely to be without winger Mo Harkin after he limped off with an ankle injury in the first half against Cambridge. Midfielder Rob Kember plays his last game before a two-match suspension after receiving his tenth booking of the season on Tuesday.

Crawley's home league game against Tamworth has been rearranged for next Tuesday (7.45pm).