Paul Groves admitted Crawley rode their luck after Izale McLeod secured a 1-0 win against the run of play against Fleetwood.
The visitors missed a series of good chances to take control of the game and were punished in the 78th minute when McLeod grabbed his fourth goal of the season.
Fleetwood boss Graham Alexander also felt the goal should have been ruled out, claiming that McLeod had used his hands to control Jimmy Smith’s pass.
Reds assistant boss Groves said: “We rode our luck a little bit but the most important thing today was to get the three points.
“There have been games this season where we have felt we were the better team but have come away with nothing so it was nice it was the other way around.
“Everyone was disappointed with the result last week (lost 4-0 to Rochdale) so we are delighted to have kept a clean sheet and with Izale popping up it made it a good day all round.
“I’m not sure about whether there was handball for the goal. I think Izale and Nathan Pond were tussling with each other all game and it is one of those where some times it goes for you and some times it doesn’t.”
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