Scott Kirkwood crowned his full Dr Martens League debut in fine style when he scored the only goal to help Crawley defeat champions Tamworth 1-0 last night.

After the heights of winning the League Cup final on Tuesday, Town manager Francis Vines made seven changes to his starting 11.

Stewart Holmes, Ellis Hooper, Marc Pullan, Mo Harkin, Ernie Cooksey, Nic McDonnell and Warren Bagnall were all rested as reserve team defender Steve Causon made his first team debut.

Central midfielder John Timlin and striker Shaheen Sadough also made rare starts.

The Crawley newcomers quickly got into their stride as Sadough headed narrowly wide after only 12 minutes, although the linesman had already flagged offside.

Kirkwood was next to excite the Broadfield Stadium fans, giving Reds the lead in the 20th minute when he rose to head home a ball nodded across the penalty area by Nigel Brake.

The visitors' only shot on goal before the break came with a 23rd-minute volley wide of the mark by Mark Hallam.

Causon enjoyed a good debut in the Reds central defence and might well have added to their lead in the last ten minutes of the half.

He produced a quality header on 35 minutes from a Neil Le Bihan corner which forced the Lambs' goalkeeper Neil Barnes to tip the ball over.

Vines spent most of the season as player-manager of the reserves and he is likely to win the Golden Boot award for being top scorer.

He might well have scored again with one of his first touches seven minutes after bringing himself on for the injured Sadough.

Reds' keeper lifted a massive kick from one end of the field to the other and Vines lobbed narrowly wide with his first-time attempt.

Ref praises sides Bognor and Lewes have earned praise from the match referee for their conduct in last Saturday's promotion derby clash at Nyewood Lane.

The game came at the end of a week marred by red cards and unruly scenes in Sussex derby clashes.

Bruce McClaren emailed the Bognor website and described the match as "an absolute pleasure to ref."

He added: "Two committed teams in front of a great crowd on a superb playing surface putting on great entertainment. Off the field hospitality brilliant.

"Roll on my next visit to deepest Sussex for more of the same please. The weather wasn't bad either."