Captain Ian Simpemba believes Crawley's play-off hopes are being threatened by schoolboy errors.

Reds have paid the price for individual mistakes in their last three games.

They handed York City two goals in a 3-1 defeat two weeks ago, conceded a soft goal after just two minutes in a 1-1 Boxing Day draw against Gravesend and gave away a needless penalty a minute after scoring in a 1-1 draw at Forest Green on Tuesday.

Simpemba reckons blunders have cost Reds 12 points this season which would have put them in second place. Instead Crawley lie 11th and three points off the play-off positions.

Simpemba said: "We have been making mistakes all over the pitch throughout the season and we have worked out that it has caused us to drop around 12 points.

"They are just silly schoolboy errors and, with the quality of players we have here, that is not good enough.

"Add that to us not finishing our chances at the other end and it could be the difference between us making the play-offs or not.

"If you look at the worst-case scenario, it could be the difference between survival or not. Although we are going well, you cannot rule relegation out because there is a long way to go."

Simpemba believes Crawley's performance at Forest Green proved they are beginning to learn how to play away from home.

Reds, who have won just twice on the road this season, adopted a new 4-5-1 formation and soaked up Rovers' first half pressure before dominating the second period.

Simpemba has called for a repeat performance at Gravesend tomorrow.

He said: "All season, we have been saying we need to learn how to go away and turn our losses into draws and our draws into wins.

"We almost did that at Forest Green. It seemed like the perfect away performance because we frustrated the home side and then scored late on.

"That is exactly what we need to be doing to churn out results away and shows that we are learning.

"Gravesend will be similar to Forest Green, so we just need to do the same thing and try to get the win we should have got against them at home on Boxing Day.

Manager Francis Vines admitted his squad needs strengthening if they are to become genuine play-off contenders.

He said: "We probably need another couple of players to take us on. We are looking to bring one in soon, on a permanent basis, and hopefully that will push us on."

Reds will be without midfielder Simon Wormull and defender Sean Hankin because of knee injuries for the trip to Stonebridge Road.

Gravesend, who have not won in 13 league games, are expected to make changes to the side which held Reds on Boxing Day.

Former Wycombe striker Roy Essandoh will replace ex-West Ham forward Manny Omoyinmi up front while defender Justin Skinner, who lives in Crawley, is likely to be sidelined because of a hamstring injury.