Manager Francis Vines has blamed Crawley's part-time status for their poor end to the season.

Reds suffered their third straight Conference defeat against play-off chasers Stevenage at the Broadfield Stadium last night.

Early goals in each half by Anthony Elding and Jason Goodlisse put the visitors ahead before Steve Burton gave Crawley hope 14 minutes from time.

Defeat leaves Vines' side with just one win from their last nine league games, which has seen them slip from the play-off places into the bottom half of the table.

Vines said: "Some of the guys are tired, they have played 50 games this season and deserve a rest.

"We are only part-time and we have struggled for sharpness. It has made the difference but I still feel that if we had taken our chances over the last few weeks we would be in the hunt.

"The players still gave me 110 per cent and worked extremely hard, which I was pleased with.

"They can give themselves a pat on the back, they definitely deserved something from the game."

Vines bemoaned Crawley's lack of a goalscorer following Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Exeter and Stevenage's Elding showed why after just nine minutes.

Where Reds have struggled to convert their chances during recent games, Elding needed just one to score his 21st of the season.

Strike partner Darryn Stamp threaded a ball perfectly into the former Boston forward's path and he coolly rounded Phil Smith before slotting into an empty net.

Smith was making his first start in five league games in place of Andy Little, who was surprisingly dropped to the bench.

Elding threatened again on 15 minutes after being released down the inside right channel but he snatched at his shot and it sailed harmlessly over.

Crawley got back in the game as the half wore on and could have been level at the break.

Allan Tait twice disappointingly strayed offside from crosses by Burton and Scott Gooding which found him in space in the area.

Defender Ben Judge, recalled to the line-up after a spell on the bench, blasted high over from 12 yards after a Neil Jenkins corner was headed down by Burton.

Stevenage dominated the early stages of the second half and had a header by former Lewes loanee Jon Nurse cleared off the line by Ian Simpemba before doubling their lead on 56 minutes.

Elding, proving he is not just a goal poacher, found Goodlisse with a curling corner and the Borough skipper hammered a first-time shot into the roof of the net.

Reds improved after the goal and Simpemba had a header blocked on the line by former Crawley man Justin Gregory.

The home fans only had to wait a minute for Burton to pull one back when he volleyed under Julian from the edge of the area for his third goal in five games.

Crawley thought they had equalised on 80 minutes when substitute Danny Davidson glanced home a header from Judge's cross but Nick Burton had strayed offside.