Crawley gave their survival hopes a massive boost with a dramatic 3-2 victory over fellow strugglers Colchester United.

Izale McLeod converted a controversial penalty in the second half to secure a crucial three points at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Reds had fallen behind early on to a goal from Sammie Szmodics but Ryan Dickson and Gavin Tomlin put them 2-1 ahead at the interval.

Colchester levelled through David Fox straight after the break and they looked to have the momentum until Reds profited from a questionable penalty decision.

The result lifted Reds above Colchester in 22nd place in League One ahead of their trip to Port Vale on Tuesday night.

Izale McLeod wasted a great chance to give Reds a dream start when he hit a post after being put clean through by Tomlin.

The significance of that miss grew as Colchester took the lead four minutes later by virtue of a superb strike from Szmodics.

Reds failed to deal with a bouncing ball on the edge of the area and Lewis Young’s poor header only reached Szmodics who volleyed it past Lewis Price and inside the far post.

The home side’s lead only lasted four minutes as Dickson made it 1-1 with his first goal for Crawley.

Young made amends for his earlier mistake with a low cross which Dickson neatly flicked in at the near post.

Crawley were denied by the woodwork for the second time when Anthony Wordsworth’s thumping volley came back off the bar after Sonny Bradley had flicked on Dickson’s long throw.

Price was called into action twice to keep it 1-1 as he tipped over an effort from Szmodics and then saved a deflected effort from Fox.

Reds got their noses in front four minutes before the interval as Young’s low cross from the right was coolly converted by Tomlin.

Colchester came out fired up after the break and levelled four minutes after the restart as Fox curled a low free kick around the wall and inside Price’s near post.

Tomlin had a great chance to restore Crawley’s advantage when he put a free header wide from Dickson’s excellent cross.

Dickson had the ball in the back of the net in the 57th minute after being put through by Tomlin but the Crawley celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

Reds took the lead with 15 minutes to go in controversial circumstances. McLeod raced on to Wordsworth’s excellent through ball and went flying as goalkeeper Sam Walker came out to close him down.

Referee James Adcock pointed to the spot and McLeod rubbed salt in the wounds as he coolly slotted home his 16th goal of the season.

Colchester cranked up the pressure in the closing stages as they forced a succession of corners but Reds held on for a potentially crucial victory.