New captain Peter Fear hopes to lead Crawley out for the first time tonight.

The former Wimbledon and Oxford midfielder, who joined Reds from Kettering during the summer, is on the comeback trail after injuring his ankle in pre-season.

He came on for the last 30 minutes during Saturday's 1-0 premier division win over Bath which stretched Crawley's unbeaten record to three games.

Fear was due to have another run out for the reserves last night and is pushing for a start against a Folkestone side whose attack will be led by former Crawley pair Steve Restarick and Allan Tait.

Fear said: "The ankle was a bit swollen after Saturday but it's settled down and feels fine. Playing last night was more to get match fitness."

Successive 1-0 victories have lifted Reds into the top half of the table, but Fear believes his side still have a lot more to offer.

Fear added: "When you don't play that well and still get three points it's a very encouraging sign.

"There are a lot of new players at the club and we're still finding out about each other, but as long as we keep working hard I think we will do well."

Marc Pullan serves a one-match suspension for his red card against Dover so Ben Judge may switch to centre half with Ian Payne returning to the starting line-up at fullback.

Hastings will be unchanged for their trip to Welling tonight where they are likely to come up against old boy Paul Jones for the first time following his controversial exit.

The ex-Hastings striker left The Pilot Field last month after stating he was going to pursue a career in London but he signed for United's premier league rivals instead.

Manager George Wakeling said: "It has happened before and players do try and comeback to haunt you.

"Things like that don't bother me. We will be playing Welling not Jonesy. We will be looking to work very, very hard because we know if we don't we will get beaten."

United travel to Kent in buoyant form after taking eight points from a possible nine in their last three games.

Their latest victims were Hednesford who were beaten 2-0 at the Pilot Field on Saturday.

That game marked the return of ex-Albion midfielder Duncan McArthur who missed the first four matches of the season with suspension and the creative midfielder will be a key figure as Hastings defend a proud record away record that featured just two defeats on the road last term.

Welling have an injury crisis and were missing five players at the weekend.

Eastbourne Borough's Matt Allen and Darren Baker are fighting to be fit for the visit of Ryman outfit Croydon Athletic in their FA Cup preliminary round replay tonight.

Baker was taken ill just before boarding the coach on Saturday while Allen has also been hit by the stomach bug although he travelled up for the 0-0 draw. Boss Garry Wilson is hopeful the duo will play but Andy Ducille (knee) is still out.

Striker Dave Flemming has been dropped to the bench as Horsham look to get it right second time round at Lordswood.

Hornets let slip a 2-0 lead on Saturday and boss John Maggs vowed: "We will not play that badly again."

Former Crawley player Grant Gallagher, 41, hopes to inspire Lordswood to an FA Cup shock.