Crawley’s hopes of remaining in League One next season took another significant blow as they were thumped 5-0 at home by Doncaster Rovers.

Reds only trailed to a Andy Butler goal at half-time but self-destructed after the break and could have lost by more.

Richie Wellens, Nathan Tyson and Harry Forrester wrapped up the game in the space of 18 minutes with Curtis Main completing the scoring in injury time.

To make matters worse Crawley had captain Joe Walsh sent off in the 66th minute after lashing out at Dean Furman meaning the defender will be suspended for the next three games.

The only positive for Reds is that other results at the bottom of the table went their way meaning they remain second from bottom, four points adrift of safety.

Doncaster arrived with one of the best away records in the division and immediately took control of the game.

The visitors could easily have taken the lead inside two minutes when Harry Forrester twice forced Lewis Price into smart saves at his near post, with Joe Walsh helping out to clear the second attempt off the line.

Price had to be alert again in the 17th minute to keep out an inswinging corner from Forrester which was missed by Marvin Elliott at the near post.

The on-loan Crystal Palace goalkeeper was by far the busier of the two No.1s in the first half as he twice kept out fierce efforts from Nathan Tyson.

The pressure eventually told seven minutes before the interval as Doncaster took the lead in controversial fashion.

Referee Lee Miller awarded the visitors a free kick when Forrester ran straight into Anthony Wordsworth who had no chance of getting out of the way.

Richie Wellens swung the ball over and Mathias Pogba’s attempted clearing header only dropped into the six yard box for Butler to stab home.

Crawley boss Dean Saunders brought on Bobson Bawling for Lanre Oyebanjo at half-time and the youngster was caught out as Doncaster doubled their lead.

Former Reds loanee Kyle Bennett turned Bawling inside out before delivering a perfect ball to the far post for Wellens to sweep home.

Rovers were now enjoying themselves and Tyson made it 3-0 with a delightful chip over the advancing Price and into the top corner.

A bad evening got worse when Walsh was shown a straight red card for raising his hands at Dean Furman.

It was just a question of whether Rovers would take their foot off the gas or try to pile on the misery for Crawley.

The visitors showed no intention of easing up as Forrester made it 4-0 in the 74th minute with a low strike past Price from just inside the area.

Theo Robinson should have made it 5-0 when he shot wide after bursting through but substitute Curtis Main made no mistake when he curled home in injury time.