Boss Dean Saunders pointed to a game-changing decision as Crawley’s hopes of League One survival took another blow last night.

Reds thought they had taken the lead at Chesterfield when Izale McLeod poked home after goalkeeper Tommy Lee had fumbled a corner.

Referee Stuart Attwell ruled it out for a foul on a defender before the ball was even delivered and the Spireites took advantage by going on to win 3-0 and leave Reds rooted to the foot of the table.

Saunders said: “It looked to me like he dropped it. It just slipped through his fingers but the referee has given it for something else.

“It was a big decision as I thought we did well first half and that would have given us a bit of belief but that is what happens when things aren’t going your way.”

Reds have now gone 15 games without a win and Saunders will step up his efforts to reinforce his squad before Monday’s deadline.

He added: “It’s blatantly obvious we need some additions to strengthen the group but it is difficult when you haven’t got much money to play with.”