Crawley manager Francis Vines is keeping faith with his young side.

Reds had an average age of 22 for last week's trip to Exeter, when they threw away a two-goal lead and lost 3-2.

Vines blamed defeat on inexperience, but insists he is not about to add old heads to his side.

He believes the players he already has at his disposal have shown they have the potential to cope with more experienced teams in the Conference.

He said: "People talk about having experienced players but apart from the defeat against Accrington and on Saturday, the boys have more than held their own.

"If I did look to add to the team it would be players in their mid to early 20s, which is my target age-range.

"Most of our players have been at professional clubs and have had experience of playing at a higher level than this.

"It is still early in the season and some are still finding their way in the Conference.

"I'm a believer that if you are good enough, then you are old enough. Games are just 11 versus 11 and if we want it more than the opposition, we will win no matter how much experience the other team has.

"That is what annoyed me so much about the Exeter defeat. I wasn't at all impressed with them and the game was there for the taking.

"The players know they have to be more consistent. We cannot spend the whole season bouncing back from defeats. We can't just show good form over two or three games, it needs to be over 21, but I'm confident they will learn to be consistent as the season goes on."

Vines believes Reds will win more games than they lose this season and has already set his sights on a mid-table finish.

He said: "If we keep up the ratio we have at the moment, then we are not going to go down. I'm looking at 46 points, which is another 12 wins, and after we get that we can relax.

"At the moment, even with a few poor performances, we look as if we are heading for mid-table which would suit me fine."

Crawley face another former League side, York City, at the Broadfield Stadium tomorrow.

Vines expects the same kind of performance that followed their previous set-back. Reds beat leaders Dagenham and Redbridge 2-0 two days after a 4-0 humiliation at Accrington Stanley.

Vines added: "The players know they let themselves down last week, so I'm sure they will want to put it right and make sure it stays that way."

Defender Ben Judge is included in the squad after recovering from a bruised toe and Charlie MacDonald is fit after a hamstring pull.

But midfielder Rob Kember is doubtful with an ankle injury.