Clarke fires Reds to third consecutive home win (From The Argus)

Clarke fires Reds to third consecutive home win

9:38pm Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in Sport By Steve Hollis

Billy Clarke scored twice on his recall to the Crawley side to earn Reds a fifth win in six league games against MK Dons.

Clarke was making his first league start in ten games and responded with goals either side of half-time.

The former Blackpool player deflected home a shot by Gary Alexander in the 21st minute fpr his first league goal since April.

Reds weathered a storm to take the advantage into the interval but Clarke made sure of the points in the 90th minute when he fired home a cross from Mark Connolly.

It was a third straight home win for Crawley and kept them fourth in League One.

Reds took the lead in the 21st minute when Nicky Adams' corner found Alexander at the far post and his low shot flew in off Clarke.

That stung the visitors into action with goalkeeper Paul Jones saving well from MacDonald while Daniel Powell and MacDonald both hit the woodwork.

Crawley reasserted themselves after the break with Alexander and Adams both going close and while David Martin also saved from Adams.

Jones had to be alert at the other end as he raced off his line to smother an effort from substitute Ryan Lowe.

Reds boss Richie Barker brought on Mark Connolly and Sergio Torres in a double substitution and the pair combined to set up Clarke for the second goal. Torres put Connolly away down the left and his cross was turned home by Clarke.