Boss Richie Barker admitted Crawley got what they deserved as they were knocked out of the JP Trophy by Newport County.
Reds looked in control thanks to an early own goal and a sensational 50-yard strike from Mike Jones had put them 2-0 up midway through the first half.
But Chris Zebroski pulled one back just before the interval and then James Hurst was sent off in the process of conceding a penalty which Adam Chapman converted early in the second half.
A miserable night was completed when Connor Essam deflected a cross from Robbie Willmott into his own net.
Barker said: "Even though we went 2-0 up I still didn't think we were great. Not too many individuals covered themselves in glory tonight.
"The team we had out was not a million miles away from the team I would have picked for a league game so I expected a lot better but we looked miles off at times.
"It was a competition we were taking seriously and I put my faith in a couple of players who had waited a long time for an oppportunity and they didn't take it."
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