Matt Harrold’s fifth goal of the season maintained Crawley Town’s impressive home form as they beat Cambridge United 1-0.

Harrold poked home from close range nine minutes before half time to settle a scrappy affair in wet and windy conditions at the Checkatrade.com Stadium.

It was Crawley’s seventh win in their last eight home league games and lifted Mark Yates’ side to 13th in League Two.

The quality of the game was not helped by a strong wind – which was blowing in Crawley’s favour in the first half ¬– and a deluge after the interval.

Chances were at a premium and Cambridge were left ruing not making the most of the best opening of the game when Rory Gaffney effort was smothered by goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan after bursting clear in the 27th minute.

The only other opportunity in a low-key first half saw Gavin Tomlin’s tame effort from the edge of the area comfortably saved by Will Norris.

The opening goal came right out of the blue nine minute from the interval. Lee Barnard was given time to turn on the edge of the area and his low shot turned into a perfect assist for Harrold as he stabbed home from close range.

Cambridge improved slightly after the break but only sporadically put Reds under pressure as they looked for an equaliser.

Luke Berry so nearly provided it right at the start of the second half when his fierce shot from 30 yards beat Flahavan only to come back off an upright.

Conor Newton and Gaffney both had efforts go narrowly wide but the visitors were unable to build up the momentum they needed to break Crawley down.