Ian Simpemba knows all about the harsh realities of Conference football.

That is why the Crawley defender has warned his team-mates not to get carried away by their dream start to the season.

Reds moved up to fourth in the table on Saturday after beating Aldershot, a side hotly tipped as promotion contenders.

It followed the midweek 1-1 home draw against title favourites Hereford and an opening day win at Leigh RMI.

Results could, understandably, cause expectation levels to rise at Broadfield Stadium.

Not for Simpemba, however, because he has been in this situation before and seen it go wrong.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international was on loan at Woking from Wycombe Wanderers two seasons ago when they, like Crawley, took seven points from their first three games.

But the Surrey side then went on a ten-game winless run and avoided relegation by a point.

Simpemba said: "The players are on the crest of a wave. They are going into games full of confidence, which is great, but we need to keep a lid on it.

"Woking won the first few games and were top of the league but they ended up just avoiding relegation.

"That's what can happen. We cannot start getting any ideas above our station because there is a long way to go."

The next test is a 600-mile round trip to Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

This will arguably be the biggest challenge because it is Crawley's first away game against full-time opposition.

Simpemba, handed the captain's armband for the first time, featured in a superb defensive display against an Aldershot side short of attacking ideas.

The highly-rated Roscoe D'Sane and Aaron McLean, who scored 37 goals between them last season, barely had a chance Their best opportunity came in the second half and fell to McLean three yards from goal but his effort was bravely blocked on the line by second-half substitute Kevin Hemsley.

Aldershot's lack of communication at the back handed Crawley the points.

Danny Davidson, back from a calf strain at the expense of Dan Marney, was played onside by Chris Giles to run clear down the right flank.

He picked out the unmarked Charlie MacDonald with a perfectly weighted cross and the former Charlton striker headed into the bottom corner for his third goal in as many games.

MacDonald said: "The back four were unbelievable. They were so solid and that's what won us the match.

"If we can do the business at both ends of the pitch, then we can do well this season. It was hard work against another full-time team but we knew we were going to have a chance and we took it."

The result was ironic for manager Francis Vines. Aldershot, managed by his good friend Terry Brown, were the side he said Crawley should emulate.

They were the only part-time side to finish in the top half of the table last season before turning professional during the summer.

However, Vines, although happy with the start, is refusing to build up his side as a potential top-of-the-table team just yet.

He said: "I'm looking to get 45 points as soon as possible because that will hopefully be good enough to keep any team up.

"My ambition is to finish as high up the table as possible. If that happens to be first, second, third or fourth, then so be it. But if it happens to be 12th or 15th then I'll be happy with that too.

"It's just a case of accumulating as many points as possible before teams can work you out. Hopefully, they will never work us out and we will do well throughout the season.

"We have shown that we are as fit as the full time teams, we just need to get more sharpness in our ball work and in our choice of pass.

"At the moment we get on the ball, see a pass then change our minds and give it away, but that will get better.

"Give it five or six more games so the players can get used to the pace of the football and they will improve even more."

Midfielder Nick Roddis will today be released from his two-year contract without playing a competitive game for Crawley.

The 31-year-old joined Reds from Aldershot in June, having missed most of last season with a serious knee injury.

He featured in four pre-season games but has not played since making an obscene gesture to supporters following a goalless friendly against Hornchurch at the Broadfield Stadium four weeks ago.

Vines said: "Nick will be leaving. He doesn't think he is where he wants to be at the moment.

"I don't mean that in playing football for Crawley Town, I mean physically.

"He doesn't think he can give us the full Nick Roddis right now and that is the reason why he's leaving."

Crawley: Little, Judge (Hemsley 46), Hankin, Simpemba, Palmer, Traynor, Kember, Mapes, Jenkins, Davidson, MacDonald. Subs not used: Tait, Rees, Smith, Marney
Aldershot: Bull, Warner (Crittenden 82), D. Barnard, Antwi, Warburton, Giles (Sills 73), Miller (McAuley 63), Challinor, Watson, D'Sane, McLean. Subs not used: R. Barnard, Johnson
Attendance: 2,508