Crawley closed to within three points of Conference leaders AFC Wimbledon after a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Wrexham tonight.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was in the stand to watch Saturday's FA Cup fifth round opponents get better as the game wore on.

In a game of few chances it was the home side who went closest to breaking the deadlock.

Reds' defender Dean Howell made a superb clearance on the line when Andy Morrell seemed certain to score nine minutes before the break.

And then straight after the break Josh Simpson cleared Mark Creighton's header off the line.

Five players were booked in an often bad-tempered tussle and Crawley's assistant manager Paul Raynor was sent from the dugout by referee Steve Martin midway through the first half for over-protesting after a heavy challenge on Richard Brodie went unpunished.

Reds had their moments with Wrexham keeper keeping out efforts from Brodie and Simpson and substitute Craig McAllister was inches away from converting a cross from fellow sub Sergio Torres.

But in a game of few chances it was probably a better point for Reds.

Evans said: "We might have won it in the last ten minutes. Four points from two games against a decent Wrexham side is still excellent and everyone has come through unscathed for Saturday which was important."