Crawley are taking good care of top scorer Max Watters over the festive period.

But the 16-goal striker still played a part in the pleasing 1-1 draw at home to League Two leaders Newport County.

Reds secured a point despite a red card for Tarryn Allarakhia, who will now miss the FA Cup tie versus Leeds unless there is a successful appeal.

Worthing boy Mickey Demetriou put the ball into his own net from outside the area to gift Reds their equaliser.

He was trying to head the ball back to his keeper as he covered a long ball aimed towards Watters.

Crawley took Watters off at half-time.

Assistant boss Lee Bradbury said: “Max has a bit of a tight hamstring.

“We need to protect him. What we don’t want is Max picking up a long-term injury.

“It’s more for protection. We are hoping he is going to be fit and available for Tuesday.”

Allarakhia was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Liam Shepherd in the 59th minute.

He tried to get his boot to a bouncing ball and caught his opponent in the midriff.

Bradbury said: “We are disappointed we didn’t get an opportunity to go toe-to-toe with them for 90 minutes with 11 men because we felt we could win the game.

“I think it is a very harsh sending-off which we will appeal.

“T has not even seen the lad there. He has brought the ball down and the lad runs into T’s foot.

“The player milks it and gets T sent off.”

Reds closed ranks after going down to ten and gave keeper Glenn Morris good protection.

They saw a draw as decent return from an afternoon which started ominously.

Ryan Haines put Newport ahead after only five minutes with a superb curling finish.

Demetriou's nightmare moment came on 32 minutes.

Reds go to Forest Green on Tuesday and open 2021 at Bolton before Leeds visit the People’s Pension Stadium on January 10.