Gavin Tomlin’s first goal for Crawley earned them a fifth successive draw in League One as it ended 1-1 at home to Chesterfield.

The summer signing struck on his 17th appearance for the Reds to level the scores with 20 minutes remaining.

It was a delightful finish from Tomlin to cancel out a Gary Roberts opener for the visitors just before the hour-mark.

Both teams finished with ten men after Crawley’s Izale McLeod and Chesterfield left-back Daniel Jones were each shown red after a stoppage-time scrap.

Although the visitors made the more positive start, it was Crawley who were unfortunate not to take the lead on 16 minutes when Bobson Bawling’s slide-rule pass played in Jimmy Smith whose rasping shot hit the angle of post and crossbar.

Two minutes later good work from Ryan Dickson on the opposite side teed up Izale McLeod but he could not get enough purchase on his shot.

The Reds struck the woodwork again on 26 minutes when Dickson headed against a post from a Gwion Edwards cross and this sparked a frantic spell when the hosts had to be at their best defensively.

Dean Leacock cleared a Jay O’Shea shot from in front of his own goal, then Oyebanjo blocked Tendayi Darikwa’s dangerous ball into the mixer.

Oyebanjo was a busy man as he made two more excellent blocks as Sam Clucas threatened to pull the trigger on each occasion.

Right at the end of the half the theme continued, Smith blocking from Sam Morsy after Leacock conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position.

In the opening moments of the second half, Edwards had a shot from the edge of the area well held and Joe Walsh headed a corner over the bar.

Tomlin then had a wonderful chance when the ball fell to him in front of goal with Chesterfield appealing for offside but the Reds striker took far too long and the opportunity went begging.

Crawley were made to pay for failing to take their chances as Chesterfield went ahead on 59 minutes after Keith Keane gave the ball away. The impressive Roberts burst down the left and fired across Lewis Price into the far corner when most people were expecting a cross.

The visitors should have doubled their advantage four minutes later but top scorer Eoin Doyle scooped a great chance over the bar after being played in by substitute Armand Ghanduillet.

With 20 minutes remaining Crawley equalised when Tomlin seized on to a ball through the middle by Edwards and beat the advancing Tommy Lee with a delightful chipped finish.

It was a cracking contest and Crawley needed a fabulous save from Lewis Price to keep them level ten minutes from time, pushing over a Roberts shot after he had been played in by Jones.

With six minutes remaining new loan striker Shaun Miller was thrown on for his debut but Reds had to settle for a point.

The match ended with a flashpoint as McLeod and Jones were both sent off for clashing after the Crawley striker was fouled.

Crawley: Price; Oyebanjo, Leacock, Walsh; Bawling (sub Young 65), Smith, Keane, Edwards, Dickson; McLeod, Tomlin (sub Miller 84). Subs not used: Henderson, Bradley, Banya, Elliott, Jensen.

Chesterfield: Lee; Darikwa, Raglan, Evatt (sub Margreitter 56), Jones; Morsy, Ryan; O’Shea (sub Gnanduillet 56), Clucas (sub Humphreys 77), Roberts; Doyle. Subs not used: Gardner, Bocu, Ariyibi, Wright.