A Dave Stevens brace allowed Crawley Town to book themselves a place in the Dr Martens League Cup third round with a 2-1 win at Ashford.

Two goals either side of half time completed a heartening fightback for the club's fans, who had recently endured three successive defeats in different competitions.

It was also welcome revenge for Reds, who had been knocked out of the same cup last season on penalties by the Dr Martens eastern division side.

But it was not all plain sailing as Crawley fell a goal behind on 35 minutes when Adrian Stone helped on Aaron O'Leary's corner and Dave Hassett applied the finishing touch.

Reds boss Billy Smith was without injured club captain Peter Fear and took the opportunity to rest Neil Le Bihan and Marc Pullan.

He gave starts to Kevin Hemsley in midfield and Nigel Brake, who played at left back for the first time since August.

Striker Stevens returned to partner Nic McDonnell up front after a one-match suspension which forced him to miss Saturday's disappointing 4-2 league defeat at home to Stafford Rangers.

It was an even first half, played out on a damp, heavy pitch and began with a substantial downpour of rain.

Ernie Cooksey signalled Reds' determination to get back on level terms with a free header which went just wide from Barry Moore's flighted free kick.

Then Stevens grabbed a 45th-minute equaliser, steering in Cooksey's corner at the back post.

Ashford had the first chance after the break when Lee McRobert's cross set up Hassett for a header which left goalkeeper Andy Little sprawling as the ball flew narrowly wide.

Crawley looked the better side in the second half and gradually began to dominate.

Stevens gave them the lead after 55 minutes, when he decisively blasted in from the penalty spot after McDonnell was scythed down by Martin Anderson.

Anderson, the Ashford fullback, was lucky to escape being sent off, having already been shown a yellow card.

The last half hour belonged to the goalkeepers, with Ashford's Chris Arnold making two fine saves.

Controversy erupted immediately after the final whistle as Stevens and Anderson clashed and all 22 players gathered around in a situation which nearly turned into a mass brawl.

However, referee Ian Crouch finally regained control and both teams walked tensely off the field.