Crawley fans turned on manager John Hollins after watching the most humiliating defeat in the club's recent history.

Supporters lined the gangway in front of the main stand to hurl abuse at the Reds boss during ugly scenes at the final whistle.

Having seen their side slump to second bottom in the Conference, this FA Trophy third round defeat against a team three divisions below Crawley was more than they could take.

They booed off the crestfallen players and chanted "what a load of rubbish", while the fans of Dr Martens eastern division Boreham Wood rubbed it in by singing "can we play you every week?"

This was worse than the FA Cup exit against Ryman premier division Braintree earlier in the season.

That resulted in the sacking of former boss Francis Vines and some angry fans wanted the same outcome as they called for Hollins' head.

To his credit, Hollins faced up to fans who had gathered behind the dug-out and let them vent their anger.

And he did not hide behind excuses afterwards as he tried to pick his way through the wreckage.

For the first time since he took over last November he lashed out at his charges and admitted they are not good enough.

He said: "You warn players but some think it is comfortable and some people are not up for the fight.

"That is why we are in the position we are in. Players think they can do it but when it comes to reality and doing it on the day, they can't.

"The quality of passing was atrocious. Can I do anything about that? Well, I can't go on and play myself.

"Did they really want it? They want their wages every month and if they were not paid they would ask why? It would be interesting if you didn't pay them."

Captain Ian Simpemba accepted the buck stops with the players and says the paying public are right to show their frustration.

He added: "No matter how lacking in confidence you are or where you are in the table, if you want to call yourself professional footballers you have to beat teams like that.

"The fans have every right to be angry. They are paying money to get in and they cheer us when we are doing well so they can slate us when we are not doing well.

"If the lads can't play in front of 800 people who are booing them, they should not be in this game."

Boreham celebrated with their boisterous fans as if they had won the trophy and no one could begrudge them their moment in the spotlight.

Their feat, in terms of the pyramid, was comparable to a League Two side beating a Premiership club but it was arguably a greater achievement than that.

You only had to observe some Boreham Wood players celebrating afterwards with a cigarette and a beer to realise they should not have been any match for the full-time athletes of Crawley.

The signs were there before kick-out that an upset could be on the cards. Boreham knocked out Gravesend 3-1 in the last round and were on the crest of a wave having lost just once in 25 games.

That run has been built on a team ethic, with every player working hard for each other, something severely lacking at Crawley.

Reds have lots of good individuals but played like a bunch of strangers.

This was not the usual story of the favourites underestimating the plucky opponents. Reds were not able to, and not allowed to, raise their game above Boreham's.

It did not help that Daryl Clare was forced off after just 20 minutes with a dead leg but even without their top scorer, Crawley should have found a way to unlock the visitors, especially when they tired late in the game.

Reds had a few chances, the best falling to Tony Scully on the hour when he side-footed a powder-puff effort straight at the keeper five yards from goal.

But the longer the tie went on, the feeling grew that Boreham would snatch it so it was not too surprising when Ian Cooper scored on 74 minutes.

The lively striker latched onto a perfect through ball by Paul Burrows and calmly slotted under Phil Smith, sparking a pitch invasion from the travelling fans.

They spilled over the advertising hoardings again in added time when Leon Archer netted the second from the penalty spot after Cooper was tripped by Leo Mendy.

The reaction at the opposite end of the ground could not have been more different.

Crawley's trip to Dagenham and Redbridge tomorrow has been rearranged because the Essex club have an FA Trophy replay. The game will now take place on March 28.

Striker Tris Whitman has returned to Tamworth following a two-month loan at The Broadfield Stadium.