Billy Smith's decision to play virtually his entire first team against Crowborough might not have gone down too well with the County League side.

The result - a 10-0 win for Reds in the first round of the Sussex Floodlight Cup - was predictable enough.

But Smith was more pleased that one or two of the tactical changes he made paid off, admittedly against opposition well below the standard Crawley are used to in the Dr Martens League.

Skipper Luke Anderson played in a more withdrawn midfield role while the decision to push Dave Harlow further forward paid off as he collected a hat-trick.

Two goals for Warren Bagnall, back after suspension, will have boosted his confidence and Smith detected a much better attitude all round from his side who were the first Crawley team to score ten goals in a match for 36 years.

"It was a good workout," he said. "The pitch was quite bobbly, but I was pleased with the way we passed the ball and any player's confidence is going to get a lift if he scores goals, no matter who the opposition are.

"Steve Restarick hasn't started in the league, but he got a hat-trick and looked quite sharp and Warren's two goals will give him a boost.

"It was the chance to try a few ideas. Dave Harlow looked good supporting the attack and Luke Anderson just sat in there and did a good holding job. It's certainly given me one or two ideas for the matches we've got coming up."

Smith certainly felt his side needed to buck their ideas up after the inconsistency which has plagued Crawley's start to the season continued at Moor Green last Saturday.

Despite a second half goal from Jimmy Dack, Reds went down 3-1 and lost the chance to go top of the premier division.

Moor Green's physical approach might not have gone down too well with a sizeable contingent of away fans and Lee Doherty still has the scars to prove it after a couple of tussles with Moor Green's muscular front man John Gayle.

"We had some good spells of pressure, particularly for 20 minutes in the second half but we just didn't hurt them enough," added Smith.

"It's soul destroying to be honest. I'm getting one good game out of three at the moment which isn't good enough. On Saturday we just didn't hurt the opposition enough."

Reds return to league action next Saturday with the visit of Kings Lynn. Common sense has prevailed and the game will kick-off at 1pm to allow fans the opportunity to watch England's crucial World Cup qualifer against Greece.

Club spokesperson Jo Agius said: "A 3pm kick off would have had a huge affect on our attendances so we're delighted that King's Lynn have agreed to this change. We can't thank them enough."

Hastings Town striker Paul Jones says morale at The Pilot Field is sky-high.

He said: "Confidence has never been so high. We have played ten, won nine and drawn one. It's the best start I've ever had at a club."

Town's hot-shot scored in his side's midweek win over closest rivals Fisher Athletic which sent Hastings four points clear at the top of the Eastern Division, but even Jones knows his place in the team is far from secure.

He admitted: "We have four strikers, so we know we have to do well to stay in the side. Lee McRobert's arrival has made things even harder. I played up front with him briefly in my first season and he is a quality player who has scored at a higher level. He gets on the ball and looks to put me in."

Jones added: "We have had a few injuries but it's better now and we have got to keep this run going."

Hastings entertain Dorchester on Friday, kick off 7.45pm.