Crawley 0-2 Stoke
GOALS FROM JONATHAN Walters and Peter Crouch were enough to ensure there would be no fairytale-ending at Broadfield Stadium today.
However, despite being three divisions above Crawley, Stoke were made to work hard for their victory, as they received a serious scare after 16 minutes.
Rory Delap was controversially sent off for what was adjudged to be serious foul play – despite Stoke’s protests that he won the ball – meaning they would have to play the majority of the game with ten men.
Nonetheless, Stoke subsequently silenced Crawley fans, as Walters successfully converted a penalty just before half time, after Ryan Shawcross was impeded by Kyle McFadzean.
Peter Crouch then made it two just after the break, with a trademark header from close range.
It was relatively comfortably for the visitors thereafter, and the home side were even denied a late consolation, even though Danny Collins seemed to handle Tyrone Barnett’s shot on the line.
