The understated reaction of Fiston Manuella to the best goal he is ever likely to score illustrated why Crawley are thriving this season.

The Reds midfielder, making his first home start of the season, smashed a 30-yard drive into the top corner.

It was a vital goal that gave Crawley the lead for the first time against bottom side Forest Green Rovers.

Manuella has a point to prove to manager Francis Vines after being frozen out for much of the season.

The former England semi-professional did not play in six of the first seven games.

He was given his first starts at Burton Albion and Canvey Island last week because of an injury to holding midfielder Rob Kember.

But there was not a hint of bitterness from Manuella as he reflected on his wonder-strike.

Instead, he played down his goal and paid tribute to Vines' ability to get the best out of the players.

Vines has adopted an honesty-is-best policy, leaving his team in no doubt when they play badly.

He is not afraid to drop players, no matter the size of reputation, and always selects his team on current form.

In return, he has earned the respect of the players.

Manuella said: "I scored a decent goal but we won which was the main thing Don't get me wrong, I'm really pleased to be playing at the moment, but as long as we win then I don't mind about competition for places.

"You want your club to do well, even if you are not in the side. Last season I was on the bench and didn't mind because we were winning and playing well."

Vines was also rewarded for keeping faith with striker Allan Tait.

Tait was handed his first start against Canvey because of injuries to Dan Marney and Danny Davidson and responded with two goals.

Davidson had previously been first choice in a classic little and large partnership with Charlie MacDonald.

However, Tait, regarded as being too similar in style to MacDonald, proved he can compliment Reds' top scorer and took just 13 minutes to justify his selection.

He linked up neatly with his strike partner to power home an equaliser after Charlie Griffin had nodded Rovers into an eighth-minute lead following a blunder by Reds keeper Phil Smith.

MacDonald also thrived in the extra space created as defenders struggled to cope with Tait's bustling, attacking play.

He ended a three-match spell without a goal to level the scores for the second time on 32 minutes with a penalty, given after he was brought down by Darren Davies.

That came five minutes after Rovers had regained the lead when Griffin was sent clear by Richard Hodgson and beat Smith at his near post with a low drive.

MacDonald added his seventh of the season within 60 seconds of Manuella's 54th-minute strike with a low shot from the edge of the area.

He could have had three more as Crawley controlled the second half before being replaced on 78 minutes by Marney, who has recovered from a groin strain.

Worringly for Crawley was that Rovers' capitulation owed more to their own lack of confidence rather than anything Reds were able to offer.

Forest Green are suffering their worst start to a Conference season and have taken just one point from the first ten games.

Crawley again started slowly, which has been an unwelcome feature of their opening games.

Add to that their poor away form - four points from a possible 15 - and Saturday's trip to unbeaten Carlisle looks sure to be their biggest test of the season.

Captain Ian Simpemba has warned a lot of hard work is needed this week.

He said: "If we start like that against Carlisle, we will really struggle. We were lethargic and maybe some of the players looked at the game and thought we are normally good at home and relaxed. You can't just turn up for games and expect to win. We played football the way we wanted for ten minutes in the second half and it killed Forest Green off but they are down there for a reason.

"We have to learn how not to lose away from home and if we can do well up at Carlisle it will be a big boost for us. They have some great players and great support, so it's going to be tough and our whole week of training is going to be geared towards it."

Crawley: Smith, Judge, Palmer, Simpemba, Hankin, Traynor, Manuella, Mapes, Jenkins (Deane 72), Tait, MacDonald (Marney 78). Subs not used: Little, Davidson, El-Abd.

Forest Green: Perrin, Lyttle, Gadsby, Richardson, Davies (Beesley 66), Roberts, Holloway (Garner 48), Rogers, Hodgson (Cleverley 63), Griffin, Louis. Subs not used: Williams, Cowe.