Goals by Danny Hockton and Marlon Patterson gave Crawley a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sittingbourne in the preliminary round of the League Cup.

Town boss Billy Smith made six changes to the starting line-up which had beaten Great Yarmouth 3-0 in the FA Cup on Saturday.

He handed a full debut to Patterson, who played on the left wing and promoted Hockton, Warren Bagnall, Kevin Hemsley, Nigel Brake and Ian Payne from the subs' bench.

Regulars from this season's team Nic McDonnell, Stewart Holmes, Ernie Cooksey, Ellis Hooper and Ben Judge were all rested ahead of Saturday's crucial league clash with leaders Grantham.

Mo Harkin supplied a cross for Neil Le Bihan in the 20th minute, but his spectacular diving header from 12 yards flew straight to goalkeeper Lee Hook.

Defender Payne had a shot saved by Hook from the edge of the penalty area, while for the visitors' Kieron Marsh drove wide of the target from 20 yards.

Town enjoyed long spells of possession and finally scored on 31 minutes.

A Le Bihan corner was headed into the net by Hockton who rose above the defence for his second goal in successive games.

Reds sprung into life soon after the break and Patterson completed an encouraging debut by heading in their second goal on 48 minutes from a goalmouth scramble.

Enjoying the balance of play and their two-goal cushion, Crawley eased off in the second half as the play was largely confined to midfield.

Hockton powered a 25 yard free-kick wide on 77 minutes after McDonnell had been brought down just outside the area.

Crawley: Little, Payne, Brake, Hemsley, Pullan, Le Bihan, Fear, (Hooper 63), Harkin, Bagnall (McDonnell 67), Hockton, Patterson, (Cooksey 72).

Unused subs: Holmes, Judge.