Crawley's fourth qualifying round tie on the bumpy slopes of Wilks Park was done and dusted by half time.

The Reds, for whom the game represented a rather large and unpleasant banana skin were three goals and two players to the good as Flackwell overstepped the line between aggression and indiscipline.

Gary Wiltshire and captain Matt Flint were sent packing by referee Russell in the first 35 minutes for the Ryman League division two side and Crawley could afford the luxury of cruising through the second half without breaking sweat.

Crawley boss Billy Smith said: "I've got to be pleased coming away winning 4-1, I asked them for an early goal and we got it.

"The game was over by half time and it did go flat. You are always looking for perfection but it doesn't always work out that way".

Smith singled out Mo Harkin for special praise the player returning to the Wycombe area where he first made his name.

He said: "The pitch was terrible and didn't really suit him and I was very surprised how well he managed to play on it."

Crawley led inside three minutes through a thunderous volley from tall central defender Ellis Hooper and when Ernie Cooksey bundled in a free kick from captain Peter Fear after 18 minutes Reds were well and truly in command.

Flackwell then had Wiltshire sent off on 22 minutes for a horrible two footed lunge and Flint followed for a second caution 13 minutes later.

Harkin raced on to a through ball from Danny Hockton to make it three only two minutes after Flint's departure and Crawley could then afford to waste some outstanding chances in the second half with Hockton and Dave Stevens presenting more of a threat to their own supporters than home goal keeper Lee Knott.

Flackwell did well with nine men and Gavin Mernagh did get a consolation goal on 84 minutes before Stewart Holmes emphasised Crawley's superiority with a crisp finish right on full time.

Although Flackwell contributed to their own downfall, Crawley deserve credit for going about a potentially difficult game in a very professional manner.

They barely commited a foul worthy of the name and in Hooper have a 20-year-old who may well have a bright future in the game on this evidence.

Manager Smith could even afford to offer some words of sympathy to opposite number Neil Catlin: "The two players who were sent off let their side down and I felt very sorry for their manager."Aa