Billy Smith's team booked a place in the second round of the Dr Martens League Cup last night at the expense of his old pal George Wakeling.

Londoners Smith and Wakeling are firm friends who share a passion for non-league football but the Crawley boss was the happiest after this result which set-up a clash at Ashford in the next round.

Kevin Hemsley scored the winner with a right foot shot past Dave King moments before half-time following an error by Steve Yates.

Hemsley's goal was scant reward for the home team's dominance in a derby neither team really looked bothered about winning.

Both managers fielded line-ups that underlined their priorities lie elsewhere, in the Dr Martens premier division and more immediately the first round of the FA Cup.

Smith said: "I'll be giving George a ring about the game because I have to dash off.

"It was good to beat another team in our league with such a depleted line-up. This cup is towards the bottom of my priorities but if we go out of the FA Cup and the Trophy this will become more important.

"It will be hard trying to pick my best team because the lads who have come in have done really well.

"Barry Moore made a good home debut and I thought Kevin Hemsley played extremely well."

Town and United both face lucrative FA Cup ties away from home later this month and the two sets of players could have done without this Sussex derby at a rain-lashed Broadfield Stadium.

Wakeling dropped skipper Tony Burt to the bench with Landry Zahana-Oni and Danny Simmonds while the hosts gave a rare start to Jason McKoy, Hemsley and Nigel Brake.

Wakeling admitted that the defeat was not a big concern to him, although he will have been disappointed to have gone down in front of the watching Wayne Turner, manager of FA Cup opponents Stevenage.

He said: "I was quite pleased. We couldn't get a lot going in attack but it was a good games for a lot of the youngsters to get under their belts.

"It is a bit of experience to them. We have some important games coming up so I wanted to rest one or two of my players but it gave the others a chance.

"Billy has won the game but I don't think he put a lot of importance on it. His priorities lie the same place as mine in the league and the FA Cup."

Crawley engineered the majority of the best chances and Adam Flanagan did well to get a crucial block on a shot from Moore.

Brake then shot wide and the recalled Nic McDonnell twisted and turned before testing King.

After the break Smith introduced Neil Le Bihan and Mo Harkin to add some flair to a dour contest and Harkin made an impact within minutes of coming off the bench when he swapped passes with Hemsley and cut into the box before curling a left foot shot just wide.

Then Le Bihan slammed Moore's low cross from the right over the bar.

The closest United came to equalising was ten minutes from time with a low right foot shot from Chris Honey on the corner of the area.

Crawley: Little, Judge, Cooksey, Hooper, Pullan, McKoy (Harkin 70), Moore, Hemsley, McDonnell, Stevens (Hockton 45), Brake (Le Bihan 65). Subs not used: Payne, Holmes.

Hastings: King, Yates, Hegley, Playford, Osborne, Flanagan, Cornwall, Ruddy, Honey, Webb, Body (Simmonds 78). Subs not used: Burt, Zahana-Oni.

Referee: Paul Harrison (Erith).

Attendance: 443.

Man-of-the-match: Barry Moore - energetic in midfield.