If you spend the summer playing on the beaches of France, Spain and Dubai - and got paid for it - a chilly December afternoon at Broadfield Stadium might be a culture shock.

But Ben Abbey seemed to be back where he belonged on Saturday, helping Crawley to another important win in their push for the Conference with Billy Smith, the man he respects more than anyone in the game, looking on.

It is over two years since Abbey's last appearance for Reds during which time he had spells with two league clubs before sharing the same stretch of sand with Eric Cantona when he tried his luck at beach soccer.

Now the 23-year-old is hoping to put himself back in the shop window again by scoring the goals that help Crawley to the Dr Martens League title.

Abbey believes he did not do himself justice in his Football League career.

An impressive 46 goals from 97 games during his first spell with Crawley, after Smith signed him from Maidenhead in 1997, had the scouts flocking to Broadfield Stadium.

Cash-strapped Crawley, who were sliding towards administration at the time, could not say no when Oxford United tabled a £16,000 bid even though most people felt he was woefully undervalued.

Abbey was not convinced it was the right move either and after scoring once in 13 appearances for Oxford he left at the end of the 1999-2000 season.

"I wanted to go pro but Oxford were the wrong club," said Abbey. "They were very unstable with five managers in 12 months which didn't help."

He started the following campaign at Ryman League Aldershot, but David Webb snapped him up for Third Division Southend and he proved something of a hit at Roots Hall, scoring eight goals in 31 games last season. So it came as a bit of a surprise when Webb told him at the end of last season that he did not have enough money to offer him a new contract.

Abbey said: "Dave was honest with me and I appreciated that, but it came as something of a shock because I did well before picking up an injury and I was looking to stay there for a while."

It was then that Abbey got his chance to rub shoulders with the likes of Cantona.

"One of my mates at Southend was in the England team who were playing on a special beach in Hyde Park. I went along to watch and Russell Osman got injured. I stepped in, scored two goals on my debut and I was in the squad."

Abbey spent August and September taking part in competitions in Marseilles, Malaga and Dubai and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

"The PFA sponsored it," he added. "Everything was paid for and we had a great time. Now I know why the PFA wanted to go on strike!"

Since returning to England, Abbey has been training with Leyton Orient. Several clubs have offered him trials and he had one appearance as substitute for Conference outfit Stevenage at the start of last month.

But Abbey did not need too long to say yes when Smith offered him the chance to join his title chasers last week.

He reckons he is only about 80 per cent fit at the moment, but even in 15 minutes as substitute against Worcester City on Saturday he did enough to suggest that his pace and eye for goal is sharper than ever.

"Trials are no good to me at this stage in my career," he added. "I need to be playing week in, week out so when Billy got in touch I didn't hesitate.

"Dave Webb rescued me from Oxford and now Billy has rescued me from the beach.

"The side is doing well so they are bound to attract attention and if I can get a few goals and get myself noticed again then great. The squad is really strong and Billy has always played pass and move football which is what I like."

Abbey was one of five strikers in the squad which beat Worcester and is ready to fight for his place.

The new hero of the Crawley crowd is Robbie Collins who has scored ten goals and attracted the interest of several league clubs in recent weeks.

Abbey joined his growing band of admirers and believes he is good enough to break into the full time ranks.

"Yeah, he's good enough," added Abbey. "He's very sharp, has got excellent control and I'm sure he would be a success as a pro."

CRAWLEY will have had a fortnight's break by the time they return to league action at Hednesford next Saturday.

Tuesday's League Cup tie has been postponed because opponents Burnham will be involved in an FA Trophy replay.

Meanwhile Keith Sharman and Jimmy Dack were set to continue their comebacks from injury in the reserve team at Tonbridge today. Abbey was also expected to have a run out.

Sharman, out of action for two months with a knee problem, had 45 minutes on Tuesday when Reds beat Mid Sussex League side East Grinstead United 10-0 in the third round of the Sussex Intermediate Cup.