Frustrated Reds have to settle for a draw (From The Argus)

Frustrated Reds have to settle for a draw

9:37pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Sport By Steve Hollis

Crawley had to settle for a point despite dominating from start to finish against Morecambe at Broadfield Stadium.

Andrew Fleming gave the Shrimps the lead against the run of play in the first half before substitute Scott Neilson equalised just after the interval.

Reds poured forward in search of a winner but could not find one as they were held to their fifth draw in seven league games.

Crawley dominated the first half with Billy Clarke pulling the strings.

The former Blackpool striker twice forced Barry Roche into scrambling saves with shots from long distance.

Roche then produced a wonder save to tip a header from Karl Hawley onto a post.

It was Morecambe that took the lead, however, in the 21st minute from a rare counter attack.

Laurence Wilson's cross was not cleared by Claude Davis and Fleming poked home from ten yards.

Substitute Neilson equalised four minutes after the interval when he latched onto a poor punch by Roche to fire home from 12 yards.

Reds poured forward in search of a winner and thought they had a penalty when John Akinde was sent tumbling by Nick Fenton only for referee James Adcock to adjudge the foul was just outside the area.

Akinde almost scored his first goal for Crawley when he met a Clarke corner with a powerful header only for Roche to block with his legs on the line.

Clarke also wasted a good chance when he raced on to a header from Akinde but take too long to shoot while Kyle McFadzean's 20-yard volley was deflected wide.