Manager John Hollins had no complaints with defeat in what could be Crawley's last ever home game.

Reds failed to reproduce the performances that gave them maximum points from their first three games against a hardworking Stafford Rangers.

Ben Judge equalised two minutes after Crawley had gone behind in the first half before Rangers continued their unbeaten start with the winner 13 minutes from time.

Hollins said: "We started very slowly and never really got going.

"Stafford were a very good side and kept going until the end.

"It was just one of those days for us and hopefully we'll put things right against Exeter on Monday."

Reds, unchanged from their hat-trick of opening wins, were poor in the early stages.

Goalkeeper Ben Hamer was forced into a superb point blank save to deny Robin Gibson after just three minutes.

Stafford striker Guy Madjo then squandered a good opportunity soon after, firing over after he had slipped when put clean through.

There were no surprises when the visitors opened the scoring on 14 minutes following a deflected free-kick from Neil Grayson.

The ball bobbled around the six-yard box and while the home defenders hesitated fullback Nathan Talbott pounced to sidefoot under Hamer from close range.

Crawley's response to going behind was positive and they took just two minutes to restore parity.

Jake Edwards, who had just gone close with an angled shot, rose above the Stafford defence to nod a Lee Blackburn corner goalwards. His header was blocked by defender Ian Murphy and Judge reacted quickest to the rebound and powered into the corner from five yards.

Reds almost netted another ten minutes later when Blackburn lobbed over from 20 yards after Rangers keeper Dean Williams scuffed a clearance straight to the midfielder.

The home side were almost punished for a sluggish start to the second half by the lively Talbott. He was found in yards of space on the left and struck a fierce 20-yard angled drive which Hamer did well to tip over.

The chance jolted Reds into life and they created two shooting opportunities in quick succession on 65 minutes.

Edwards had a powerful effort saved by Williams and then Tony Scully scooped a volley high and wide at the back post.

The visitors always looked dangerous on the break and they almost caught Crawley out with a quick counter-attack on 70 minutes.

It proved only a reprieve for Reds as Stafford struck seven minutes later. Kevin Street hammered past Hamer from six yards after a shot from Gibson richocheted into his path.

Crawley: Hamer, Hiley (Rendell 85), Judge (Sattleton 78), Woozley, Danny Brown, Blackburn, Bostwick, Mills, Scully, Edwards, Strevens. Subs Not Used: Tolfrey, Lovegrove, Marshall. Booked: Edwards, Rendell.

Stafford Rangers: Williams, Sutton, Murray, Daniel, Talbott, Gibson, Murphy, Downes, Street, Grayson, Madjo (Olaoye 73). Subs Not Used: Alcock, Lovatt, Quailey, McAughtrie.

Referee: A Sainsbury (Wiltshire).