Crawley’s hopes of avoiding relegation suffered a big blow as they went down to a sixth consecutive away defeat at fellow strugglers Yeovil Town.

Izale McLeod gave Reds the lead in the first half and they should have doubled their advantage straight after the interval when Gwion Edwards wasted a gilt-edged chance.

That proved significant as Yeovil scored twice in the space of seven minutes through Chigozie Ugwu and Ajay Leitch-Smith to record only their third home win of the season.

The result lifted the Glovers off the foot of the table and above Crawley who slipped to second from bottom, four points adrift of safety.

Yeovil made a positive start in their new-look 3-5-2 formation but their lack of cutting edge was still clear to see.

The Glovers have found the net just six times at home this season and despite dominating the opening 25 minutes they did not really look like adding to that meagre tally.

The only moment of panic in the Crawley area came when Ajay Leitch-Smith drove the ball across the six yard box but no one was able to get a decisive touch.

Reds showed Yeovil how it should be done by taking the lead with their first real attack after 27 minutes.

Debutant Mathias Pogba did well to put Jimmy Smith away done the right and his first time cross was perfectly flighted for McLeod to head home at the near post.

The goal stung Yeovil into action and they twice came close to equalising in the space of 60 seconds, Ryan Dickson nodding a header from Keiffer Moore off the line and then Ben Nugent volleying into the side-netting.

Crawley wasted a great chance to double their lead immediately after the restart when Gwion Edwards was sent racing away by Anthony Wordsworth but his weak effort was easy for Artur Kysiak.

The significance of that moment was highlighted as Yeovil scored twice in the space of seven minutes to turn the game on its head.

Lewis Price had made two good saves to keep out headers from Stephen Arthurworrey and Ben Nugent but was at fault for the equaliser.

He came for a free kick which was whipped in from the left by Sam Foley but was beaten to the ball by Ugwu who nodded home from six yards.

The goal lifted the hosts who took the lead with 17 minutes to go. James Hayter cut the ball back from the right and Leitch-Smith finished smartly after Lanre Oyebanjo had failed to clear.

Reds were unable to muster any real efforts to salvage a point as Yeovil clung on for what could be a decisive victory.

Crawley (4-4-1-1): Price; Oyebanjo, Ward, Walsh, Dickson; Pogba (Morgan, 79), Elliott, Smith (Fowler, 63), Edwards (Bawling, 55); Wordsworth; McLeod. Subs not used: Dutton, Bradley, Young, Tomlin.