Boss Dean Saunders felt poor finishing was to blame as Crawley went down 4-1 at Rochdale.
Reds were totally outplayed in the first half but battled back after the break and had chances to equalise after Marvin Elliott had made it 2-1.
Izale McLeod, Matt Harrold and Joe Walsh all missed good chances and Rochdale made Reds pay as Ian Henderson and Calvin Andrew scored late on.
Saunders said: “The scoreline makes it looks like we were battered but it doesn’t tell the true story. We had three great chances and should have got away with a point.
“They were the better team in the first half but I said to the lads at half-time just to stay in the game and not go 3-0 down.
“When Lewis Price saved the penalty I started to think that it could be our day. At 2-1 I thought we would go on and get another and perhaps win it 3-2 but we missed some great chances.
“The last two goals came right at the end when we were pushing on. Obviously I’m disappointed to have lost but I’m pleased we didn’t cave in after the first half.”
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