Defender Adam Quinn rescued Crawley with a precious second-half equaliser as Steve Evans’ men opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Blue Square premier.

Quinn scored his second goal of the season with nine minutes remaining after a terrible mistake by goalkeeper Simon Rayner looked like proving costly.

The normally reliable Rayner completely missed what should have been a routine clearance early in the second half and Pierre Dubois took advantage but Steve Evans’ men showed admirable resilience to come back and earn the point they deserved.

Reds had gone in front inside a minute through former Weymouth midfielder Simon Weatherstone but John Hollins’ men were level before the break through former Albion striker Chris McPhee.

Boss Evans said: “It was a good point. We probably scored too early and in the first ten minutes there was a big gulf between the teams.

“But they had a right go and you can’t allow for Simon’s mistake but I’m not going to knock him because his performances have helped us go top of the league – every goalkeeper makes a clanger now and again.

“But in clear-cut chances we deserved a point and on chances created in the second half we should have won.”

Crawley could not have made a better start and it was a sweet moment for Weatherstone on his return to the Wessex Stadium.

Just 54 seconds had gone when Jamie Cook was allowed to make an unchallenged run into the box and his pull-back was swept right-footed by Weatherstone past Richard Barnard from inside the six-yard box for his fourth goal of the season.

Weymouth went into the game without a win in six and boss Hollins had transfer-listed five players before the game, two of whom were in their starting line-up.

But they produced a spirited response to the early setback and should have been in front before the break.

McPhee was often left alone up front but Ryan Williams, Michael Malcolm and Dubois were always prepared to make supporting runs.

Malcolm got past Sam Rents and found Williams whose downward header bounced just wide then Dubois dragged an effort past a post.

Midfielder Sam Cutler wasn’t far away with a strike from 35 yards but Reds nearly added a second when Cook’s lay-off teed up Danny Forrest but his right-foot shot flew wide of the right-hand post.

Weymouth’s pressure was rewarded with a 22nd-minute equaliser.

Cutler’s pass was neatly chested down by Dubois into the path of McPhee who side-stepped Rayner before stroking home his fourth goal of the season, all of which have been scored at home.

Fletcher came on at the break as Reds switched to 4-4-2 with Pittman alongside him and Cook operating on the right and within three minutes of the re-start they should have been back in front.

Barnard showed great reflexes to palm the ball to safety when Pittman got a touch on Quinn’s header. The big defender stayed in the box and when Fletcher found him from the left-hand side Quinn’s close-range shot crashed against the bar.

Reds were undone on 52 minutes after a horrible moment for Rayner. He came out of his area to make what should have been a routine clearance but completely missed his kick and Dubois stroked the ball into an empty net.

Fletcher had the ball in the net moments later but the goal was ruled out for a foul.

The former Bournemouth forward then headed a Weatherstone free-kick over the top but ten minutes from time he nodded another Weatherstone free-kick back across the face of goal and Quinn couldn’t miss from three yards.

Weymouth: Barnard, Mawer, Doe, Cutler, Sandwith, Williams, Reed, Robinson, Malcolm, McPhee, Dubois (sub: Coutts 79). Subs not used: Knowles, Ironside, Reiffer, Webb.

Crawley: Rayner 5, Stevens 6, Rents 6, Quinn 7, Wright 6, Weatherstone 8, Pinault 6 (sub: Douglas 64 6), Bulman 6, Forrest 6 (Fletcher 46 7), Cook 6, Pittman 6. Subs not used: Nayee, Giles, Thomas.

Referee: Andy Sainsbury (Wiltshire).

Attendance: 1,005