Crawley manager Billy Smith says there is nothing to fear in the premier division.

Reds, chasing a sixth consecutive victory, were held to a 0-0 draw by leaders Worcester at The Broadfield but should have won after creating a succession of chances.

A point was enough for Crawley to move up a place to second.

Smith said: "It was a game we should have won. Their goalkeeper pulled off some good saves and on another day we might have been three or four up.

"If we had been a little more clinical with our finishing we would have won.

"Had we scored one I think we would have had got a few more because they would have had to come out at us.

"They were good but did not do much attacking. They are a physical team but we stood up to them.

"The boys are disappointed we did not get a result and that is a good thing.

"No one has played us off the park. At the moment there is nothing to scare us and I still think our best is to come.

"I might make the odd change for Dover on Tuesday but if I get the same commitment out of them then I will be happy."

Goalkeeper Danny McDonnell was Worcester's best and busiest player.

He denied Warren Bagnall and Dave Stevens in the first half, then frustrated four-goal Stevens in the second half with another block.

By comparison, Crawley's keeper Andy Little had little to do and his goal was only threatened in the 25th minute when Worcester hot-shot Darren Middleton, the league's top scorer with six goals, raced through, forcing Little to sprint from his line and scramble the ball behind.

Crawley enjoyed the majority of the possession and their defence looked solid. Worcester were shaky at the back and former Horsham YMCA defender Ellis Hooper troubled them with his long throws.

Bagnall should have scored from one of them in the first half instead of blasting over.

Crawley upped the tempo in the closing 25 minutes after Smith made a double substitution and lesser sides would have folded under the pressure.

The introduction of Neil Le Bihan and Danny Hockton made an impact and defender Ernie Cooksey was quick to point out the strength in depth of the squad this term.

The 22-year-old left-back, who signed from Chesham in the summer, said: "It is hard work. If you have one bad game you know you will be on the bench.

'There is a lot of competition for places and that is a good thing. We had some excellent players on the bench but they cannot get into the team because we have been winning.

"We were playing with three up front and created stacks of chances. All the play was in their half for 60 minutes.

'We should have won but it is still a good result. They are top and I think they were pretty lucky to go away with a point."

Crawley set a club record seven consecutive Southern League victories in the 1966-67 season.

If the team continues continue to show the same application and profit from good fortune, they could yet better that achievement and achieve their Conference dream.