The pressure grew on under-fire Crawley boss John Gregory after his side went down 2-1 to ten-man Gillingham at home in the JP Trophy.

Reds looked on course to clinch a place in the area semi-final when Izale McLeod gave them the lead from the penalty spot in the first half.

Gillingham’s hopes of ending a ten-match winless run took another blow when Joe Martin was sent off in the 64th minute following a clash with McLeod.

But the visitors seemed to be inspired by their numerical disadvantage as Jermaine McGlashan levelled within three minutes and then Doug Loft grabbed a late winner.

It means Reds have now bowed out of two cup competitions against struggling League One in the space of four days having lost to Yeovil in the FA Cup on Saturday.

A small minority of supporters chanted for Gregory to be sacked during the second half as well as calling for chief executive Michael Dunford to go.

Gregory had stuck to his promise to field a strong team as he made just three changes to the side which crashed out of the FA Cup on Saturday.

In came Gavin Tomlin, Sonny Bradley and Bobson Bawling with Matt Harrold, Josh Simpson and Dean Leacock not even included in the squad.

Gregory did experiment with his tactics as he switched to what resembled a 3-3-2-2 formation for the first time.

Reds made a bright start with McLeod going close after 15 minutes following good build-up play from Gwion Edwards and Tomlin.

They got their noses in front five minutes later when Edwards’ burst into the box was brought to a halt by Jake Hessenthaler and referee Darren Sheldrake pointed to the spot.

McLeod sent Stuart Nelson the wrong way to take his tally for the season to eight in 21 games and give Reds a deserved lead.

Crawley could have stretched their advantage with Nelson having to be alert to prevent a cross from Jimmy Smith embarrassing him and then pushing away a 25-yard drive from Tomlin.

Gillingham’s attacking threat had been largely contained but Luke Norris went close to equalising just before the break when he flashed a volley across the face of goal from a tight angle.

The opening stages of the second half were sedate until the game burst into life when McLeod and Joe Martin squared up to each other in front of the dugouts.

Martin received his marching orders having raised his hands at McLeod who got away with a yellow card for his part in the spat.

The incident seemed to spark the visitors into life and they were level within three minutes of going down to ten men, McGlashan cutting in from the right to beat Jamie Ashdown with a low shot which nestled inside the far post.

Despite their numerical disadvantage Gillingham looked the most likely winners now and McGlashan should have given them the lead with nine minutes to go when he somehow skied an effort from close range after Bradley Dack had carved open the Reds defence.

There was no reprieve for Crawley three minutes before the end as Gillingham grabbed a fortunate winner. Loft curled in a cross from the right which skidded off the turf and flew past Ashdown into the top corner.