Crawley’s six-match unbeaten run in League One came to an end in heartbreaking fashion as they conceded a late goal at leaders Bristol City.

Reds looked to have battled their way to a goalless draw only for Luke Ayling to volley home an 87th-minute winner for the home side.

The result was harsh on John Gregory’s men who had worked so hard to contain the Robins while also posing a threat on the break.

The result kept Bristol City on top of the table and saw Crawley slip to 20th, just two points above the relegation zone.

City surprisingly left top scorer Aaron Wilbraham on the bench but the strength of their squad was highlighted by the fact they were able to bring in Kieran Agard to replace him.

It was Agard who went close to giving the Robins the lead after just six minutes as Crawley had to survive an early onslaught.

The striker got his foot to a head down from a free kick but Lewis Price somehow reacted fast enough to deflect it over the bar.

Price was then rescued by defender Lanre Oyebanjo from the resulting corner as he cleared a header from Joe Bryan off the line.

Bryan went close again in the 18th minute when his 20-yard effort was touched over the bar by Price.

City continued to dominate the remainder of the first half but Reds slowly came into the game and started to pose a threat on the break.

Shaun Miller lashed one effort wide from outside the area while Bobson Bawling wasted a good situation when he shot well over from 25 yards.

All Crawley’s hard work almost went out the window just before the break as Agard got to the byline but his low cross just evaded Matt Smith at the far post.

Reds were forced onto the back foot again in the second half as City grew more urgent in a bid to break the deadlock.

Smith headed just wide and then Price had to make another good save to push out a close-range header from Derrick Williams.

Crawley’s foray forward were few and far between and the closest they came was a low shot from Miller which skidded narrowly wide from 25 yards.

All Crawley’s hard work was undone three minutes from the end when they failed to clear a corner properly and Ayling had time to control the ball on his chest before volleying through a crowd of players and inside the far post.

Bristol City (3-5-2): Fielding; Ayling, Flint, Williams; Little (Wagstaff, 74), Elliott (Pack, 69), K Smith, Freeman, Bryan; Agard, M Smith (Wilbraham, 69). Subs not used: Richards, Osborne, Emmanuel-Thomas, Cunningham.

Crawley (3-5-2): Price; Bradley, Leacock, Walsh; Oyebanjo, Bawling, Keane, Smith, Young; Tomlin (Harrold, 65), Miller (Elliott, 78). Subs not used: Jensen, Henderson, Banya, Richefond, Isaacs.