Town go fourth and prosper

CRAWLEY Town are in fine shape ahead of their first meeting with Athletic.

The promoted West Sussex outfit has won five of its last six matches, the latest a 2-0 home win over MK Dons. Recalled former Ipswich and Blackpool striker Billy Clarke scored twice.

And the Reds' strike power doesn't begin and end with the diminutive forward from Cork. Veteran Gary Alexander (33), formerly of Hull, Orient, Millwall and Brentford, leads the line and providing support is ex-Rochdale Nicky Adams, who left Spotland on a free transfer in the summer and has been on red-hot form.

Crawley have risen to fourth in the league - only a point shy of Stevenage in second.