FILIPE MORAIS has thanked Crawley team-mates for ensuring some tough decisions paid off.

Morais and Jimmy Smith signed off as stand-in managers with a superb 1-0 win at leaders Lincoln City, New boss Gabriele Cioffi, unveiled on Friday on a three-year deal, watched events at Sincil Bank.

He will have a debrief with Morais and Smith today.

Morais’ cross forced the 44th-minute own goal which ended the Imps’ unbeaten start to the season.

The result rewarded bold selection calls which saw Josh Doherty and Dominic Poleon left out.

Morais said: “It’s hard for a manager telling players they are on the bench.

“But I think it’s even harder when you’re in our position.

“We felt we needed a couple of changes for the test Lincoln pose and we had to be brave because you are leaving out your team-mates and friends.

“I hope they are still talking to me!

“But they will be because we’ve got a good group here.”

Morais’ cross was flicked on by Bondz N’Gala and headed into his own net by ex-Reds loanee Michael Bostwick.

Lincoln piled on second-half pressure, despite seeing Lee Frecklington sent off for a bad challenge on 54 minutes.

The only cloud on Reds’ day was confirmation that Smith faces up to six months on the sidelines to a knee injury sustained at Oldham recently. He will have surgery this week.

Defender Romain Vincelot picked up an ankle injury in the same game and is out for at least six weeks.