Francis Vines got his spell as Crawley caretaker-boss off to a winning start with a comprehensive 4-2 victory over Havant & Waterlooville in the premier division on Saturday.

Reds made an unbelievable start as they scored three times in the opening 12 minutes to stun a Havant side who had not been beaten at home since mid-September.

Vines said: "It's a great start but we have to hope things continue in the right direction from here.

"We started so quickly and I didn't want us to take our foot off the pedal and let Havant back into it. There are few things we need to work on because Havant's first goal was very sloppy from our point of view.

"It's a new start for the players as well as for me and we're getting our house in order. We need to be a bit more professional."

The new manager made his intentions clear when he dropped striker Dave Stevens and winger Mo Harkin to the bench.

Already without the injured Neil Le Bihan, suspended Marc Pullan and flu-ridden Ben Judge, there was a first start for midfielder John Timlin and a place on the bench for reserve team captain Steve Causon.

Ian Payne and Kevin Hemsley both returned in defence and Warren Bagnall replaced Dave Stevens alongside top scorer Nic McDonnell up front.

Reds opened their account after just seven minutes when McDonnell spotted keeper Aaron Kerr off his line and volleyed over his head from 25 yards.

Two minutes later, Bagnall missed McDonnell's cross but Peter Fear found himself in space and he made it 2-0 at the second attempt.

Ernie Cooksey completed Crawley's dream start when he was allowed time to drill into the corner after Barry Moore's corner was only partially cleared.

Bagnall and Timlin should have increased the lead before Warren Haughton pulled one back for Havant with a deflected volley in the 34th minute.

Timlin twice went close again after the break but it was Stewart Holmes who added Reds' fourth when he fed Moore on the right and rose to head in the return cross at the near post.

Dave Leworthy stabbed in an 84th-minute consolation for the Hawks but the damage had been done and Reds were on their way.