Gwion Edwards scored the only goal as Crawley beat Luton Town 1-0 to book their place in the area quarter-final of the JP Trophy.

Crawley dominated the first half but had to wait until six minutes after half-time for the decisive goal at Kenilworth Road.

Reds were well worth their lead at that stage but had to withstand a fightback from the home team which saw them hit the bar twice as they pressed for an equaliser.

Both managers freshened up their teams with Crawley making five changes from the weekend and Luton four.

That reflected the regard the JP Trophy is held in but it gave some of Crawley’s fringe players an opportunity to show what they can do.

Three of those drafted in – Matt Harrold, Gavin Tomlin and Lewis Young – were involved in some of Crawley’s best moments in the first half.

Young started brightly on the left wing and sent over a cross which Tomlin headed straight at the goalkeeper and then tested Elliot Lustham himself from the edge of the box.

Tomlin then jinked his way into the box before picking out Harrold with his cross but the former Bristol Rovers striker headed wide of the near post.

Justham was comfortably the busier of the two keepers in the first half and was almost caught by surprise by a powerful 25-yard drive from Gwion Edwards. Justham could only push the ball away and Tomlin’s follow up nearly deflected in off a defender.

Reds were largely untroubled at the back but received a warning six minutes before the break when Luke Guttridge skimmed a shot against the outside of a post from 25 yards.

Crawley got their noses in front six minutes after the break following more good work from Young. The winger burst into the box to set up Harrold for a shot which rebounded off the bar to Edwards who powered the ball into the roof of the net from ten yards.

Luton brought on striker Charlie Walker as they searched for an equaliser and the former Peacehaven almost scored with his first touch. Walker lobbed Brian Jensen as he raced on to a clearance by his own goalkeeper but the ball came back off the post and his follow up was saved by Jensen.

Crawley had the woodwork to thank yet again seven minutes from time when Guttridge rattled the crossbar from 25 yards.