Crawley win vital game

Giles got the decisive goal as Crawley recorded their third consecutive league victory and are now four places clear of the relegation zone.

Club owners, the SA Group, announced at the end of last week that the players would have full pay restored after earlier slashing their wages in half.

Giles, who scored the winner ten minutes after half time, says the off-field turmoil is improving but believes the problems are not yet over.

He said: "The boys are happy because it is some pay to keep us going.

"It was a nice pick-me-up but we were aware that if we didn't win this game, people would be harping on saying 'you got your pay and now you are not winning'."

The owners say financial problems that forced them into taking the controversial cost-cutting measures still exist but will use money from another sectors within the company to ensure wages are paid in full The Professional Footballers' Association and Football Association have become involved and met the owners last week.

The players have now been paid their basic wage missing from February and the club have promised a full wage for March and are "confident" of paying up in April.

But that does not include bonuses or appearance money so the owners continue to be in breach of contract.

However, it did prevent two players including Paul Armstrong, who were on the brink of quitting, from leaving and probably ensured there will be no more departures before the transfer deadline this week.

It also seemed to appease the fans, judging by their half-hearted protest on Saturday.

In fact, the red cards which were meant to be waved in protest at the owners, were used in jest when Cambridge's Rob Wolleaston was sent off for a second bookable offence on 68 minutes.

The fans were mostly in good spirits thanks to a dogged display by the players but, as the X-rated chants coming from the terraces suggests, they are still far from happy with the way the club is being run.

Giles added: "It is good the club are trying to sort things out and go forward, which is where we all want to be.

"But I don't think it is the end of the situation.

"Every day has been unbelievable and I don't think anything can change the way we (the players) feel."

Giles has epitomised the way Reds have performed in the face of adversity.

It is no coincidence that since he has been brought back into the team, Crawley have picked up results and clean sheets.

His partnership with Leo Mendy in the centre of defence is superb and the solidity of the back-four has been the foundation on which Reds have built.

They have conceded just two goals in the last five league games and lost just once.

Cambridge, who showed why they are heading for mid-table mediocrity with a hard-working but stale performance, did not have one shot on target.

Giles said: "We have got a nice little connection going on at the back now, we understand each other.

"Our main aim is to keep a clean sheet because we know we are going to score and we are confident of winning."

As well as being good at the back, Giles again showed that he can score vital goals.

He nodded a crucial last-minute winner in the 2-1 victory at Scarborough earlier this season and on Saturday netted a carbon copy effort.

The Welshman outjumped Andy Duncan at a Danny Brown corner and looped a header over keeper Scott Howie.

Reds were never going to lose after that, especially when Wolleaston was dismissed for something he said following his earlier reckless stamp on Ben Judge.

Manager John Hollins has challenged his players to continue their resolute form until the end of the season.

He said: "When I was at Swansea we broke the record for going nine or ten games in a row winning 1-0. We had about 22 clean sheets in a season and that is the kind of spirit we have got to get.

"Our spirit was good and the defending was good from front to back but let's not give them too much credit because there is still a long way to go."