Crawley boss Steve Evans has warned his promotion-chasers: “We’ve won nothing yet.”

Reds need 11 points from their final eight games to guarantee the Conference title and go into the Football League for the first time in their history after stretching their unbeaten league run to 23 game following Tuesday’s 2-0 home win over Mansfield.

But Evans is wary how Burton Albion nearly blew a similar advantage two years ago.

The Brewers led by 19 points at one stage of the 2008-09 campaign and league sponsors Blue Square paid out to punters who had backed them to win the league, but they only ended up securing promotion on the final day of the season.

Evans said: “Burton Albion were a song clear in this league two years ago and only got over the line by the skin of their teeth so anything can still happen and we have to continue to be professional for the rest of the season and see where it takes us.”

Skipper Ben Smith believes that Crawley are still able to play good football because of the sizeable advantage they have built up over the chasing pack.

They are 13 points clear of second-placed AFC Wimbledon and 17 in front of Luton, who have a game in hand.

He said: “We have got a nice cushion so if we do lose a game there is room for manoeuvre.

“At this stage games can be tense but because of the lead we have we can relax a bit more and play our football. There is no tension in the team and we are enjoying every game.

“You don’t want to take anything for granted but I did expect a bigger challenge from Luton bearing in mind the club they are with their resources. But we won’t be resting until it is mathematically done.”

Evans has promised to “freshen things up” for Saturday’s visit of Darlington.

Dannie Bulman is available after suspension while Willie Gibson and Scott Neilson, who has been out for seven weeks with a broken foot, both played for the reserves in the 2-0 win at Aldershot yesterday.

Meanwhile, co-owner Bruce Winfield’s funeral takes place at St John’s Church, Crawley today on what is sure to be an emotional day, not least for Evans who helped bring him back to the club in 2009.

Evans added: “He was a magical man who will be missed long after my time at Crawley Town and he will be missed by everyone. I was very close to him and feel his loss.”