Matt Tubbs scored his eighth goal of the season to send Crawley to the top of League Two.

Tubbs fired home from 12 yards midway through the first half to seal a fourth consecutive win for Reds in front of the Sky cameras.

The match lacked in quality and was disrupted by an over officious referee but Crawley just about deserved their win courtesy of a third clean sheet in a row.

Michael Jacobs posed the greatest threat for the home team and forced Scott Shearer into top saves before Crawley took the lead, It was apt the only goal came from a free kick considering the referee gave a staggering 32 throughout the game. Andy Drury's ball into the box was not cleared properly and Tubbs fired a low shot past Sam Walker via a slight deflection.

Tyrone Barnett could have doubled the lead before the interval but after turning his marker his shot was blocked by the onrushing Walker.

Barnett fired another good chance over the bar in the second half before being replaced by John Akinde who also blazed over after good work down the right.

Northampton went closest with 17 minutes to go when a shot from Jacobs crashed against the bar with Shearer beaten while Adebayo Akinfenwa headed over when well placed.

The Cobblers continued to press and Shearer made a good stop at the near post from Marlon Jackson.