Crawley opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Blue Square Bet premier today after a crucial 2-1 win at play-off contenders Fleetwood.

Reds hadn't scored away from home for five games but they ended that drought on 32 minutes when Richard Brodie was fouled by Sean Gregan and Matt Tubbs scored his 30th goal of the season from the resultant penalty.

The visitors lost keeper Michel Kuipers to a thigh injury just before half-time but they doubled their lead four minutes after the break when Sergio Torres found Richard Brodie who cut in from the left before producing a wonderful side-foot finish past keeper Danny Hurst.

Reds had further chances on the break with Brodie missing the easiest when he side-footed Tubbs' cross over from inside the six-yard box.

But the visitors had to defend in the last half hour after George Donnelly pulled one back on 63 minutes when he headed home a corner, the first league goal Reds had conceded away from home for four months.

Kuipers' replacement Scott Shearer kept out Magno Vieira's backheel on the line and made terrific injury-time saves from Vieira and substitute Jamie Milligan.

Boss Steve Evans said: "We knew this was a difficult place to come and in the end the result was more than justified.

"It's been a good day at the office but where we finish in April won't be decided today.

"There is a long way to go but we'll be bouncing at training tomorrow. Our players feel fresh and we have some good players who weren't even stripped today."