A superb piece of opportunism by midfielder Simon Weatherstone re-ignited Crawley’s play-off challenge in horrendous conditions last night.

Reds moved above rivals Wrexham thanks to a crafty overhead kick by Weatherstone 14 minutes from time at the Broadfield Stadium.

Weatherstone spotted goalkeeper Gavin Ward off his line and hooked the ball over his right shoulder after Dannie Bulman’s pass had been flicked into his path by Isaiah Rankin.

It was a rare moment of quality on a night when the weather inhibited the passing styles of both sides.

Not that Crawley will care. Their fifth win over a former Football League club on their own patch this season lifted them above the Dragons and within three points of the play-offs and hero Weatherstone reckoned they deserved it.

He said: “I feel like Del Boy – he who dares wins! I knew the keeper was off his line and shouted to Isaiah Rankin to get a flick on when the ball came into the box.

“I’m not afraid to take risks and I’m glad it came off. Wrexham are a decent side and it has been a tough game but we are delighted with the three points.

“It took something special to win the game and luckily I came up with it.”

While Weatherstone took the plaudits for his superb finishing, assistant manager Paul Raynor paid tribute to his back four and goalkeeper on a night when conditions were horrible for defenders with driving rain and a gale-force wind.

Rayner said: "We had to defend for most of the first half against the wind. When they get the ball down Wrexham are among the best passing sides in this division. We knew we couldn’t give them an inch and we didn’t – it was a bit helter- skelter at times but we defended superbly.

“Simon produces bits of magic like that regularly in training and it’s great that he’s done it in such an important game. He’s had a lean patch recently but he is very inventive and shoots virtually every time he gets the ball and it was great to see it go in.”

Goalkeeper Simon Rayner is producing his best form of the season and his handling in the difficult conditions caught the eye, although he was well protected by the men in front of him, particularly in the first half.

Santos Gaia kept Wrexham’s burly target man Jefferson Louis at arm’s length and it took Wrexham 22 minutes to get a shot on target when Jon Brown’s effort was comfortably held by Rayner.

Left-back Mike Williams nearly surprised the keeper with a cross-shot from distance which Rayner gathered at the second attempt. He also had to fist away successive inswinging corners from Williams near the end of the half.

Reds offered little which was hardly a surprise as they struggled to clear their lines at times in the wind although Weatherstone was unlucky when his deflected shot just before the break flew to safety off defender Ashley Westwood.

There was no let up in the intensity of the elements after the break and the players faced an additional hazard as puddles began to form on the surface. Referee Andy Bennett confirmed afterwards that if the contest had kicked off 15 minutes later it would probably not have finished.

Reds left-back Sam Rents made good use of the surface water when his 30-yard drive picked up pace off the pitch to force Ward into his first save and Mikey Malcolm was not far away with a curling left-foot effort.

Wrexham still offered a threat though and came close to breaking the deadlock with 18 minutes remaining when Louis’ cross picked out Ryan Flynn but the midfielder could not keep his header down.

Four minutes later Reds had their noses in front and in the closing stages they hung on tenaciously to their advantage.

Crawley: Rayner 8, Forrest 7, Rents 8, Gaia 7, Wright 7, Weatherstone 8, Wilson 7, Bulman 7, Malcolm 7, Shaw 6 (sub Rankin 67 6), Matthews 6 (sub Giles 90). Subs not used: Pinault, Hurren, Killeen.

Wrexham: Ward, Curtis, Westwood, Williams, Williamson, Brown, Fleming (sub Fairhurst 75), Crofts, Flynn (sub Proctor 89), McClusky (sub Suffo 70), Louis. Subs not used: Baynes, Collin.

Referee: Andy Bennett (Hatherleigh).

Attendance: 737 (121 Wrexham).