Crawley twice recovered from being a goal down to force a 2-2 draw in front of 800 fans at local premier division rivals Welling United.

The Kent side took the lead after only two minutes when impressive Paul Booth shot from the edge of the six yard box and the ball went in off Crawley defender Ben Judge for an own goal.

Resolute Reds managed to equalise five minutes later. Nic McDonnell was brought down in the penalty area by Welling defender Tim O'Shea and top-scorer Dave Stevens stepped up to take the ensuing spot kick.

Stevens had blasted in a convincing penalty away to Ashford Town in last week's 2-1 victory in the League Cup.

This time goalkeeper Glen Knight saved Stevens' shot with his legs, only for the alert McDonnell to make sure on the rebound.

In a tightly contested see-sawing battle, Crawley managed to produce only one more chance in the first half when Barry Moore weaved past three opponents and struck a good shot on target which forced United's Knight to save at the second attempt.

The home side finished the half stronger with Paul Jones nearly setting up John Farley for a shot with a cross from the right, only for Judge to produce a timely interception.

Lew Watts fired an effort wide from a corner after Moore had blocked livewire winger Anthony Riviere's dangerous shot at the end of a menacing run.

The Wings regained the lead spectacularly on 42 minutes when Booth outwitted Marc Pullan and scored his fourth goal in seven appearances, a well placed 25-yard shot past the diving Andy Little into the top left hand corner.

Welling brought on former Red Dave Powell at half time up front in place of striker Paul Jones and he combined well with Booth and substitute Ray Aboagye to cause his old side problems.

A more positive Reds emerged for the second half, with Kevin Hemsley and then Mo Harkin creating chances which were both lifted well over the crossbar.

Reds boss Billy Smith, who had sent out an unchanged side, made a tactical substitution on 58 minutes which nearly won him the game.

FA Cup supersub Warren Bagnall replaced Moore and went up front to partner McDonnell and Stevens as the team switched from 4-4-2 to a 3-4-3 formation.

Judge took on a more advanced role on the right wing, leaving a three-man defence.

Straight away the improved attacking strength began to show, with Ernie Cooksey going on a run and shooting over the top.

Just four minutes after that chance Crawley made it 2-2 with a 62nd minute solo run and shot by Neil Le Bihan.

Nigel Brake replaced Harkin and fitted into the left wing as Smith urged his side on in search of a winner.

It was not to be and Reds were lucky not to concede a third goal when Powell put through Aboagye in for a left footed strike which he failed to keep on target.

Finally hopes of a late winner evaporated as Crawley were reduced to ten men for the last five minutes.

Pullan was shown a red card by referee Evans after tripping Booth, who had been put through by Powell on the edge of the area.

The Wings had a penalty appeal turned down as Stewart Holmes tackled Aboagye close to goal, then in the last minute Bagnall hobbled off injured and was replaced by Danny Hockton.