Crawley manager Billy Smith heaped praise on his match-winner Danny Carroll as the Reds beat Hinckley United 1-0 at home in the premier division.

Carroll's 18th goal of the season came a minute into stoppage time to deny plucky Hinckley in blustery conditions.

Smith said: "Danny is an intelligent player and he's always likely to pop up with a goal for you.

"The weather was the winner and, although we played quite well in the first half against the wind, we had few chances."

Smith was able to name an unchanged side for the third game running, but the conditions made good football difficult.

After seven minutes, Carroll almost opened the scoring but he fired straight at goalkeeper Chris Taylor from a Ben Abbey pass.

Keith Sharman was also denied by Taylor after 13 minutes in a lively first half.

Hinckley squandered a chance in the 22nd minute as journeyman striker Phil Stant, a former Albion player, crossed but Paul Hunter headed over an open goal.

The second half took a long time to get going but the visitors had an opportunity after 61 minutes when an Andy Penny header was cleared off the line and Stant's follow-up was cleared.

Hinckley looked most likely to snatch a winner as Stant and Penny were denied again.

With just seconds remaining, Reds completed their smash-and-grab raid as Ian Payne whipped in a free kick for Carroll to head the winner at the far post.