Crawley Town boss Mark Yates praised the character of his players after they came from behind to earn a first home win of the season.

Reds looked on course for more home misery when Jay Simpson fired a dominant Leyton Orient ahead after eight minutes.

Simpson squandered another good chance while the visitors had an effort out for offside before Crawley roared back with three goals in the space of 17 minutes.

Roarie Deacon and Mitch Hancox gave Reds the lead before Orient had Alan Dunne sent off for bringing down Rhys Murphy in the area with Simon Walton converting the spot-kick.

Simpson set up a nervous finish by making it 3-2 with nine minutes to go but Crawley held on to climb to 18th in League Two.

Yates said: I'm delighted for the players and supporters to get that first home win.

"We didn't start particularly well and needed a little bit of luck when they could have gone 2-0 up.

"It was probably the first time a mistake hasn't cost us this season and we capitalised by turning the game on its head.

"In the second half we rode our luck a little bit but we are not in the habit of winning. People were a little bit nervous but credit to the players as they stuck at it and deserved their victory."