Not many managers would prepare his side for one of their most important games of the season with a few pints in his local followed by a few lengths of his swimming pool.

But when has Steve Evans ever conformed to the stereotype of a typical football manager?

It wasn’t quite sink or swim time in their play-off bid but Evans’ midweek bonding session had the desired effect as Reds secured their first away win since November 29 with a 2-0 win at Wrexham which moved them to within three points of the top five.

Evans said: “We got together on Wednesday in my local, had a few beers together, came home and had a swim. We agreed that we’d had a fantastic season despite those who think we have failed if we don’t make the play-offs. If we produce another nine performances like that we might just finish in the top five.”

It could be difficult for Crawley to maintain the standards they set at the Racecourse where their discipline, work-rate and speed on the counter-attack stunned Dean Saunders’ toiling side.

But skipper Chris Giles insists the squad are determined to use one of Crawley’s best results in their Conference history to launch a play-off bid.

He said: “We believe we can come with a late run, just like Exeter did last year.

“It happens every season, teams who have been up there falter. We don’t feel under any pressure but this result keeps us in with a chance. It was as professional a performance as you are likely to see and the boys are flying.”

It cannot be coincidence that Crawley’s last away win came after an overnight stay before the 1-0 win at Northwich on November 29. Money was found to spend Friday night in a local hotel, a sacrifice Giles said was appreciated by the players.

He added: “Everything was done right and preparing like we did is much better than going up on the day of the game. I’m not sure if it made any difference to our performance but the lads have all voted for it again this weekend at Altrincham!”

With six of their nine remaining games away, Crawley chose just the right time to rediscover the resilience that had made them such a force on the road earlier in the season when they won three and drew one of their first five away games.

Their play-off rivals, buoyed by a first win in eight in midweek, made a predictably strong start with Simon Rayner blocking Matt Jansen’s shot and Michael Proctor having a header ruled out for offside.

But Reds silenced the Racecourse thanks to two mercurial talents who enjoyed arguably their best afternoon in a Crawley shirt when Mikey Malcolm delivered an inch-perfect cross from the left which Isaiah Rankin headed home for his first league goal.

Evans only decided to play the former Arsenal striker instead of Jon Shaw on his way to the ground but it proved a masterstroke. Rankin’s pace constantly worried a hesitant Wrexham defence while Malcolm ran riot down the left.

The Crawley boss said: “He made John Curtis, who has played in the Premier League for Manchester United, look like someone who has played for the Red Lion in the Sunday League.”

The second goal summed up Wrexham’s defensive woes as skipper Ashley Westwood and goalkeeper Anthony Williams left a free-kick to each other, allowing Dannie Bulman to nip in and set up Robbie Matthews who scored his first goal in seven games with a decisive side-foot finish.

Giles forced Williams to paw away his goalbound header while Matthews and Rankin were both denied by last-ditch blocks as Reds threatened further goals on the break.

Wrexham finally roused themselves in the last ten minutes but Rayner made reflex saves from Sam Williamson and Jefferson Louis.

Evans said: “The rags beat the riches today but I didn’t think the result was in doubt after ten minutes. We were better than them all over the pitch.

“If you stand off Wrexham they will destroy you and I wouldn’t discount them from the play-off race.”

Neither, on this compelling evidence, can Crawley.

Wrexham: A.Williams, Curtis, Westwood (sub: M.Williams 45), Collin, Brown; Williamson, Crofts, Fairhurst (Suffo 66), Jansen (Louis 45), Proctor. Subs not used: Taylor, Anoruo.

Crawley: Rayner; Giles, Quinn, Wright, Rents; Weatherstone (sub: Forrest 90), Bulman, Wilson, Malcolm (Killeen 81); Rankin (Shaw 63), Matthews. Subs not used: Gaia, Cook.

Booked: Wright (foul), Wilson (foul), Shaw (ungentlemanly conduct).