Crawley will not blow their big chance for promotion - that is the verdict from the players after they beat title-rivals Weymouth in a sell-out match at Broadfield Stadium.

A record attendance of 4,522 watched two goals in two minutes during the second half take Reds one point clear at the top of the league.

Paul Armstrong fired in from 12 yards on 51 minutes after Weymouth had only half cleared a cross from Albion loan striker Danny Marney.

The home supporters exploded again moments later when captain Kevin Hemsley blasted into an empty net after a chip from Marney had been parried skywards by Terras keeper Jason Matthews.

For many in the bumper crowd, swelled by a significant number of Albion supporters, the win was almost too good to be true.

In the past, Crawley's promotion challenge has tailed off but the players believe they have got what it takes to go all the way this time.

Armstrong said: "That is a massive result and it's all to play for now. I don't think Crawley have ever been in this position before and they have normally faltered. So to be up there at the start of March gives us a great chance.

"There is a bit of pressure on us now because we're top, but we know if we win the rest of the games, we will win the league and I think we've proved we are good enough to do it."

Hemsley said: "We are so chuffed and psychologically it's a great result for us. It shows we can go up to the next level.

"Weymouth were one of the favourites to win the league, so if we can beat them then we are good enough to go and win it.

"There are still 12 games to go and a lot of points are at stake, but the big games are the ones you have to win and we have shown we can do it."

Midfielder Justin Gregory believes the final ten minutes prove Reds can consider themselves serious promotion contenders for the Conference.

Weymouth pulled a goal back with 11 minutes to go when the unmarked Stephen Tully slotted under Andy Little.

It sparked a wave of pressure from the visitors and they could have scored a late equaliser when player-manager Steve Claridge headed over from four yards.

Gregory said: "We had a good battling spirit, especially at the end and, from what I hear from supporters, that's what the club hasn't had in recent years.

"There's not a lot of football in this league, it's more fight-ball, and we have shown we can battle as well as play."

Victory gives Crawley the double over Claridge's side following a 1-0 away win in January. Three days after that result, Reds lost 1-0 at strugglers Grantham. Of the five league defeats Crawley have suffered this season, four have been against teams in the lower half of the table.

Hemsley is determined not to slip-up again tonight when they travel to bottom side Chelmsford City.

He said: "I think Chelmsford is the important game because we can't afford to beat Weymouth and then lose to the lesser sides.

"It was very disappointing when we lost to Grantham after the first Weymouth game and we have to prove to ourselves that we can pick up points against the bottom teams.

"The next few games are going to be the ones which will win us the league, so we will have to make sure we keep getting results."

Striker Charlie MacDonald added: "We go into games against the so-called lesser teams too confident and too relaxed.

"I think this result will change that. We're all buzzing and we know every game from now on is big. If we get some more crowds like this then we will have to put on a performance. Hopefully the home fans can now see we have the potential to win this league and will come and help us do it."

While the Crawley players talk of winning the title, manager Francis Vines is more cautious.

He knows he has a lot of work to do with 36 points still up for grabs and he is looking to strengthen his team.

Reds paid a four-figure sum for striker Allan Tait, from Folkestone Invicta on Thursday and Vines is prepared to splash the cash again.

A new midfielder is the priority, even though Robert Smith's knee injury is not as serious as first thought.

Vines said: "This game is not going to decide the championship because if we don't perform against Chelmsford then this result is immaterial.

"If the board of directors are prepared to let me strengthen the side again then I will do it.

"If the right player comes available I will be in there like a shot, with the cheque book."