Oxford 1 Crawley 1

Crawley's management trio are ready to hit the January sales after being handed the job until the end of the season.

Ben Judge, Dave Woozley and John Yems have been told there are funds available to strengthen Reds' small squad during the transfer window.

They have already agreed a permanent deal with midfielder Dannie Bulman and signed striker Lloyd Blackman last week on non-contract terms as cover.

But they are planning to bring in more new faces to help build on their promising start to their time in charge after losing two players.

Ben Strevens has left for Dagenham and Redbridge and could play against Reds at the Broadfield Stadium today while Mark McCallum has returned to Yeovil following a month's loan and Mark Wright's loan from Grays is set to end this week.

Yems said: "We have been given permission to look for players and we have a couple in our minds.

"There is money available - that is not a problem - but we are not going to bring in any old Tom, Dick or Harry. We want players who will strengthen us."

After going into administration in the summer, news that money is available is an encouraging sign that matters off the field are improving as well.

The same can be said on the pitch as well after owners Chas and Azwar Majeed made the sensible choice of keeping Messrs Judge, Woozley and Yems in charge.

They have worked wonders to not only keep up the good work former boss John Hollins started but also to improve on it.

Crawley's impressive performance to earn a point at title favourites Oxford illustrated the resilience and depth of character that has emerged since Hollins left.

They silenced more than 6,000 frustrated fans, matched a team with a budget reported to be over £20,000 a week and came within 11 minutes of taking three points.

Tony Scully, once again Reds' biggest threat, gave them a deserved lead on the stroke of half time with a superb strike.

He latched onto a glorious curling through ball by Judge and race clear of full-back Gavin Johnson, skipped past onrushing 'keeper Billy Turley and slotted in from a tight angle.

Reds survived an onslaught after the break thanks to some brave defending and two excellent saves from Ben Hamer and could have scored a second just past the hour.

Scully broke free again down the right and crossed for the unmarked Scott Rendell whose first-time volley was blocked by Turley's legs.

But, just when it looked like they would hold on, a lapse in concentration allowed United's top scorer Rob Duffy to break the resistance.

He was left unmarked as he controlled a long ball over the top and slid the ball past Hamer's desperate dive and into the far corner.

It was one of Crawley's best away performances of the season and a point that took them out of the relegation zone on goal difference and knocked Oxford off top spot.

It was particularly sweet for former Oxford player Woozley, who did not have the best of times during 18 months at the Kassam Stadium before joining Reds at the start of last season.

He said: "I knew from personal experience that if they (Oxford) are not performing the crowd are quick to get on their backs because they have high expectations.

"We managed to encourage that and credit to the lads for holding out and keeping the ball.

"The lads were disappointed with a draw but if you'd asked us if we would have taken that before the game, we would have definitely said yes."

The game marked the halfway point of the season for Reds. Without their ten point administration penalty, they have amassed 33 points from their first 23 games, the same total as 11th placed Kidderminster.

Woozley would be happy for a similar return in the second half of the campaign. He said: "We are very pleased with how the first half of the season has gone but now it is more important than ever that we don't rest on that."