Crawley boss Richie Barker has revealed his players had doubts over the intricate set-piece routine which led to Jamie Proctor’s early goal in the 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane last night.

Reds completely caught the Sheffield United defence out when Andy Drury combined cleverly with Billy Clarke from a corner after just nine minutes to put the ball on a plate for Proctor.

Drury played the ball in to Billy Clarke at the near post who then backheeled it into the path of Drury to chip an inch-perfect cross to the far post for Proctor to head home.

It was the second match in a row that Crawley had scored from a corner and Barker admitted he works hard with his squad on the training ground to perfect set-pieces.

Joe Walsh’s goal against Oldham earned them a 1-0 victory but Proctor’s was cancelled out in the second half at Bramall Lane by a well-taken effort from Marlon King as United rallied.

Barker said: “I think the players were starting to lose faith in it to be honest. When I first introduced them to it they were going ‘this will never work’.

“A couple of times it has done and we’ve had things cleared off the line but Andy Drury spotted something a little bit different in terms of instead of drilling it across the box he dinked it to the back stick.

“I am pleased for the players because I work hard on my set pieces but they have to listen and put it into practise.”