Crawley produced a smash and grab raid at Newport County on Saturday in a match which turned on two crucial decisions by referee Keith Townsend midway through the second half.

The official set out his stall with fourth-minute bookings for the home side's Gareth Phillips and Town's Mo Harkin and continued his whistle happy way through a scrappy game.

Newport took the lead after 43 minutes when Mark Dickeson's header found its way through a forest of legs.

Neither side looked capable of adding to the score until referee Townsend intervened.

The home fans were infuriated as their team's caution count rose to six although there was little argument with the decision to dismiss Phillips for a rash challenge in the 66th minute.

Two minutes later Harkin stumbled in the penalty area after Gary Lloyd dispossessed him and the referee awarded a penalty. The winger got up to level from the spot.

Reds boss Francis Vines admitted he did not think it was a penalty while his Newport counterpart Peter Nicholas offered the referee a copy of the match video.

Crawley took advantage of the hosts' confusion to take the lead with a goal of distinction created by Harkin for Daniel Marney in the 74th minute.

Two minutes from time Newport skipper Matt Rose was also sent off following a late tackle.

Crawley's Nigel Brake, Fabian Forde, Marney and Harkin were all booked.