Manager Billy Smith praised Andy Riley who helped end a run of three defeats for high-flying Crawley with a 2-1 win over Welling.

Smith signed the former Reds' player of the year and captain on Thursday from Ryman premier Sutton United to shore up a leaking defence.

The veteran made a solid start to his second spell at Broadfield Stadium as he helped mastermind a victory which kept Crawley on top of the premier.

Smith said: "Andy is an organiser and gets people talking. He is the sort of player I have wanted since I came back here.

"He is one of the guys who creates a great team spirit and I may consider making him captain again."

Smith revealed Riley had been out of the Sutton side in recent weeks after suffering an ankle injury.

He said: "It was a bit of a gamble playing him from the start, but it worked well."

Smith added: "It was not a vintage Crawley performance but it was three points against a team who were in the Conference last year, so I'll settle for that."

Crawley continued their unbeaten home league run, which extends back to February, with goals early in each half.

Top scorer Dean Wordsworth followed up a cross by Danny Carroll, to fire his tenth goal of the season from close range after 15 minutes before Reds goalkeeper Andy Little had to make an excellent 23rd minute save to deny Zeke Rowe.

Wordsworth injured his back and was replaced up front after the interval by substitute Andy Taylor, normally a defender.

Crawley doubled their advantage when Matt Woolf lifted the ball expertly over the head of goalkeeper Glen Knight from long range a minute into the second half..

Welling fought back with a 72nd-minute goal by John Budden, an effort which took a deflection.

Woolf missed training last week with a stomach pain and received a knock to the head five minutes before he scored.

His strike soon made him forget about the pain and afterwards. He insisted the result had raised morale after a poor run. He said: "This was a must-win match as far as confidence goes. We passed the ball around a lot better, which is something that has been lacking in our play in recent weeks.

"I am pleased to have got my name on the scoresheet again. There was a real lift in the confidence. For the first time for ages, we actually got off to a good start. In fact, it is probably the first time this season we have got out of the traps quickly."

Defender Taylor, dropped at Moor Green last weekend, was happy to play up front.

He said: "Billy asked if I fancied doing a job in the frontline. It was a nice experience for me and an enjoyable one. I've been struggling at the back for a while and the pressure was off playing as a striker.

"In defence you can play well for 89 minutes, make a mistake and you're a villain. Upfront, you can play badly and then become the hero with a last-minute goal. But I feel that this helped restore some of my confidence and hopefully now can use that to return to form in defence."

Defender Ian Payne may make a comeback to the squad for tomorrow night's tough home match against Cambridge City. He has recovered from a broken arm suffered in August during a pre-season game at Billericay.