Roarie Deacon comes off the bench to fire Crawley to victory over Stevenage
Roarie Deacon hit a dramatic last-minute winner as Crawley made it six wins from their last seven home League One games with a 2-1 victory over Stevenage.
Former Brighton striker Shamir Fenelon should have put Crawley ahead in the first minute after a punt downfield by goalkeeper Callum Preston, but was denied in a one-on-one situation with the veteran Chris Day.
Day later went down to save a deflected shot by Fenelon after Mitch Hancox set up the chance.
Crawley's former Stevenage defender Jon Ashton produced an important challenge to thwart Callum McFadzean at the far post, and midfielder Michael Tonge later put an angled shot wide for Boro.
The hosts ended the half on top and Simon Walton had a low free-kick blocked by the wall after Gwion Edwards was brought down on the edge of the area.
Crawley goalkeeper Preston, called up for only his second league start in place of the injured Darryl Flahavan, kept his side on terms by keeping out a goal-bound shot from Tom Pett shortly after the interval.
But Crawley hit back to break the deadlock in the 69th minute when Matt Harrold helped on a throw from Lewis Young and Edwards fired home his sixth goal of the season from 12 yards.
Tonge equalised for Stevenage with four minutes remaining from the penalty spot after on-loan defender Josh Yorwerth hauled down substitute Charlie Lee.
However, Crawley substitute Deacon had the final say in the last minute of normal time with a right-foot toe-poke after Yorwerth helped on a Walton free-kick.
Source: PA
