Three wins in a row may not sound like much of a run but for Crawley manager Francis Vines it signals a significant achievement.

Victory over Scarborough on Saturday completed the first hat-trick of wins for Reds in the Conference, indicating they may have found the one thing they have lacked this season - consistency.

It has been a problem which has driven Vines mad for months.

Up until nine days ago, when a run of seven away games without a win ended at Morecambe, Reds had not even been able to record back-to-back victories.

Crawley have still reached the dizzy heights of sixth in the Conference and are six points off second place thanks to an incredible, unbeaten home record.

It makes you wonder what they could achieve if they were consistent both home and away, especially when you remember what they did last season when they had that vital ingredient.

Crawley stormed to the Dr Martens league and cup double and Vines believes his side are beginning to rediscover the same winning formula.

He said: "The result was all important. It would have been so disappointing to have got that long awaited win last week and then to have thrown it away.

"The performance was not so important, although we still wanted them to work hard which they did.

"That's because winning is a tremendous habit, as we showed last season, and once you get on that roll the players seem to know what it takes to win."

While things just get better for Reds on the pitch, the same cannot be said off it.

Vines was less than pleased with the turn-out against Scarborough, who are one of the biggest clubs outside the Football League.

Just over 1,800 turned up, the second lowest gate of the season and 500 down on the last home gate. It was just 200 more than some of the crowds Reds were getting at the end of last season.

You would have thought, with the club flying high and unbeaten at home, that fans would be flocking but a quick look around the local shopping mall an hour before kick-off suggested the locals were more interested shopping for Christmas presents.

It is far from being a crisis because Reds are still one of the best supported teams in the Conference, but when attendances directly affect the money which can be used on signing new players, Vines is entitled to feel short-changed.

He said: "To only have 1,800 was a bit of a let down. I expected over 2,000 and it is disappointing considering we have only played at home twice in six weeks.

"If we are looking to improve the squad of players then we need to get as many people through the door as possible."

Vines is currently after two new signings, one of which is a left-sided midfielder.

Neil Jenkins has been asked to fill the gap while a suitable replacement is found, but the former Southend professional told The Argus last week he was aiming to make the position his own.

The 22-year-old, who has been in and out of the side in recent weeks, went some way to staking his claim with an impressive performance and played a big part in giving Reds the lead seven minutes before the break.

His direct free-kick took a wicked deflection off the head of visiting defender Kevin Nicholson and, although he tried to claim it, it was an own goal.

Jenkins said: "It was definitely going in anyway, so it is my goal. Even if it hasn't been given to me I was still pleased with how I played.

"I have deserved the criticism I've had because I have not played well since I've come here, but I feel fitter now and hopefully I can carry on doing well."

Allan Tait doubled the lead four minutes after half time when he tapped in his sixth of the season from Mo Harkin's low cross, but Reds made it hard for themselves by missing a host of opportunities.

Dan Marney was the biggest culprit, squandering three good chances. The worst miss came on the hour when he was sent clear but, after delaying his finish, his shot was turned onto a post by keeper Leigh Walker.

Crawley were made to sweat when Scarborough substitute Steve Burton set up a tense finish when he scrambled home two minutes from time.

But, almost from the start, the atmosphere and the body language of the players told you Reds were never going to slip-up.

That is not surprising when you hear Tait describe how the players feel about playing at home.

He said: "The confidence is flying at home and we feel invincible every time we go into a game.

"Things can only get better as well, especially as we have now got that away win. It has really pushed everyone on."

Let's hope that can be the case when Reds look to make it four in a row in the next home game against league leaders Barnet a week tomorrow.

Before then, Vines plans to field a strong side at East Grinstead in tomorrow's Senior Cup tie.

Crawley: Smith 7, Judge 7, Simpemba 7, Dolan 6, Palmer 7, Harkin 6 (Mapes 88), Armstrong 6, Wormull 8, Jenkins 7, Marney 7 (Davidson 70, 6), Tait 7. Subs not used: Little, Hemsley, Traynor.

Scarborough: Walker, Thompson, Foot, Baker, Kerr, Nicholson, Gill (Hackworth 68), Cryan, Foster (Gilroy 53), Redfearn (Burton 82), Senior. Subs not used: Haystead, Lyth.