GOALSCORER Danny Forrest insists Crawley can still end a five-year wait for an FA Cup first round place.

Forrest, who could have gone home with the matchball after squandering two second-half chances, revealed that his team-mates believe they can finish the job at Kingsmeadow tomorrow, even though Wimbledon will be strong favourites on their own patch in the fourth qualifying replay.

He said: “We have got absolutely nothing to fear. At the end on Saturday the lads all shook hands because we knew we had put in a shift – it’s probably the most we have felt together this season.

“Even though we drew it was a great feeling and that is why we are so looking forward to tomorrow. They will fancy beating us at home but we are more than capable of getting a result.”

Forrest, starting in his preferred position up front after previously appearing at right-back and right midfield this season, was a revelation alongside Jefferson Louis.

The only thing was missing were the goals which would have put the tie to bed in the second half.

Having beaten James Pullen from close range to give his side a 13th-minute lead, Forrest found himself in an even better position six minutes after the break.

But Pullen stuck out a strong left hand to divert his shot round the post then 20 minutes from time Forrest went for a first-time strike after Ben Smith had found him unmarked 15 yards out. Forrest had more time and space than he realised and could have taken a touch but saw his effort drift half a yard wide.

He admitted: “I should have put that first opportunity away. The ball bounced up which confused me and I took it too early. If I’d have allowed it to bounce I would have given myself a better chance.”

Crawley boss Steve Evans had decided early in the week to pair Forrest and Jefferson Louis up front when it became clear Charlie Ademeno would not recover from a knee injury in time. The little and large partnership worked, although Evans could have more options tomorrow with Ademeno expected to be available.

Evans said: “When we signed him we knew Danny had played up front in the Championship for Bradford. Better judges than me have played him as a striker. I’m delighted for Danny. He’s a great kid, he’s got a goal and should have scored the winner”

Forrest was also involved in the game’s moment of controversy five minutes from time when he challenged Pullen for a cross and appeared to have been punched by the visitors’ keeper, who was booked.

Forrest added: “I felt I was entitled to go for the ball. I’m an honest lad and never go in to do an opponent. I had my eyes on the ball with a chance of scoring and if anything he has tried to do me.”

Evans, again watching from the directors’ box because of his touchline ban, not surprisingly chose his words carefully.

He said: “I’m not going to comment about the penalty but we have got to get one of those decisions soon. Danny Forrest was punched in the face and the goalkeeper only gets a yellow card which is hard to take.”

What was not a matter of debate was the quality of Crawley’s performance. They have seldom played better this season, particularly in the first half hour when Thomas Pinault and Louis squandered good chances to add to Forrest’s flrst goal of the campaign.

Evans said: “The first half hour was the best we have played this season, we were outstanding.

“We caused them problems all over the pitch and they equalised with their first serious effort on goal.

“I wouldn’t have cared if we’d been rubbish and won 1-0 because first and foremost you want the result but we tried to entertain and produce a passing performance and we did that.”

Forrest wasn’t the only impressive performer in a red shirt. The home defence were outstanding as they restricted Danny Kedwell and Jon Main, who have scored 18 goals between them, to one chance which Main fired against the base of the post from a tight angle.

Simon Rayner had it covered but he could do little about Sam Hatton’s 44th-minute equaliser, a shot from 25 yards through a crowded penalty area which the keeper saw too late to do anything about.

Play became stretched very quickly in the second half and if Reds felt hard done by when Pullen stayed on the pitch, home hearts were in mouths when Main went down under Glenn Wilson’s challenge inside the area but no penalty was given.

Crawley: Rayner, Rusk, Wilson, Quinn, Rents; Forrest, Pinault, Hutchinson, Cogan; Louis (sub: Willock 85), Smith (Malcolm 76).

Yellow cards: Smith, Forrest (both ungentlemanly conduct), Cogan (dissent) AFC Wimbledon: Pullen, Inns, Wellard (sub: Adjei 53), Johnson, Duncan, Taylor, Hatton, Gregory (Godfrey 76), Moore, Kedwell, Main.

Yellow card: Pullen (ungentlemanly conduct)