CRAWLEY Town striker Kwesi Appiah wants more protection following a tough game against Exeter City.

The Reds were beaten 3-1 at the People's Pension Stadium despite taking the lead, but two yellow cards for Ashley Nadesan in the first half allowed the visitors back into the game.

However, Appiah was on the receiving end of a few hard tackles of his own, and he believes that he was lucky not to have picked up an injury.

The 31-year-old said: "It was one of those games that the referee could have given something for us in that situation.

"But unfortunately, he said to me that he didn't see a couple of them, which to me is a bit baffling if you are watching the ball, I am right where the ball is, so I don't understand how they can do that.

"I don't want to make it about the referee, but it is disappointing with the way we were handled in the game. I am just happy to have come out of the game in one piece."

Appiah gave Crawley the lead in the 31st minute after heading past a poorly positioned Cameron Dawson in the Exeter City goal.

The goal is the striker's fourth in 11 games in the Sky Bet League Two, although he had hoped it would have counted for more.

Appiah said: "It is a frustrating one as you don't want to score and lose. You want to score and it to count for something.

"It is nice to keep the tally going, but I would want it to count for something, so it is bittersweet."