Crawley chairman Chas Majeed will come face-to-face with angry supporters tonight when he will attempt to explain the club's financial crisis.

Majeed has called an open meeting at 7pm to discuss his controversial decision to put the playing squad up for sale and slash wages by 50 per cent.

He could be in for a hard time after disgruntled fans made their feelings clear during Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Conference leaders Accrington Stanley.

Some supporters invaded the pitch before kick-off and voiced their discontent at the way the club is being run.

And they staged a demonstration behind a goal following the final whistle.

Majeed's company, the SA Group, bought the club last summer. They own bars and off-licenses around Sussex and are believed to have a turn-over of about £50 million per year. Manager John Hollins understands the fans' frustrations and says they have every right to show how they feel.

He said: "The crowd were good. Everyone wanted to vent their feelings but it was done in a controlled way.

"They pay their money and they have the right to say whatever they like.

"It is a passionate business and people want to know what is going on. All I can tell them is my side of it which is that I look after the players."

Defender Dave Woozley, who is the players' PFA representative, said: "This is very hard for the fans.

"The players are obviously suffering financially but the fans have been around longer than us and there is nothing they can do about this.

"The players are very keen to issue a message to supporters to say that we really appreciate their backing."