Cambridge United extend lead at the top of Sky Bet League Two table with victory over Crawley Town

Cambridge United went three points clear at the top of the Sky Bet League Two table with a 3-1 win over Crawley Town at the Abbey Stadium.

Goals from Joe Ironside, Kyle Knoyle and Wes Hoolahan did the damage for the U's, with Jake Hessenthaler replying for Crawley.

It was a free-flowing game from the off.

United got on top in midfield through Paul Digby and Adam May, who were finding plenty of space to take the game to the visitors.

Digby won a challenge in midfield to poke through a pass for Paul Mullin to have the first shot of the game after five minutes, although the effort soared over the bar.

The deadlock was broken in the 11th minute when Hoolahan floated a free kick into the area and Ironside got the slightest of touches to guide in his 10th goal of the season.

Crawley were not behind for long, carving open an impressive equaliser.

Sam Matthews got down the right and pulled a ball into the area for Tom Nichols, who back-heeled into the path of Jake Hessenthaler to give U’s keeper no chance with the finish.

In the last 10 minutes of the half, United got back on top.

Luke Hannant hit a fierce shot from 25 yards that Crawley keeper Glenn Morris saved and then gathered at thte second attempt.

Morris then had to be alert at his near post to force behind Mullin’s top corner-bound effort from the edge of the area.

The pressure was mounting by the U’s as May danced his way into the box but his effort was easily collected by Morris.

However, United went into the break with the lead and through some goal as well.

After a ball was only half-cleared to the edge of the box, Knoyle hit an unstoppable drive into the top corner.

The U’s started the second half in a similar vein to the way in which they finished the first, by taking the game to Crawley.

United had appeals for a penalty turned down in the 55th minute, with Mullin getting a shot away into the side-netting while appearing to have his shirt pulled.

May and Hoolahan both had attempts from outside the area thwarted by Morris, and the keeper had to save at full-length from substitute Shilow Tracey.

The United debutant had a pivotal part the decisive third goal.

He broke clear on the break, and then looked up to pick a pass for Hoolahan just inside the area, and the 38-year-old picked his spot to beat Morris.

It was no less than United deserved for what was an impressive display in an entertaining match,

Cambridge United: Burton, Knoyle, Okedina, Taylor, Dunk, Hannant, Digby, May, Hoolahan, Ironside, Mullin.

Substitutes: Tracey (Ironside, 78). Not used: McKenzie-Lyle, Iredale, O’Neil, Davies, Knibbs, Worman.

Crawley Town: Morris, Francomb, Dallison-Lisbon, Powell, Nichols, Tunnicliffe, Matthews, Craig, Maguire-Drew, Hessenthaler, Wright.

Substitutes: Tilley (Powell, 45), Davies (Maguire-Drew, 67), Docherty (Dallison-Lisbon, 67), Rodari (Hessenthaler, 67),. Not used: Nelson, McNerney.

Bookings: Cambridge United - Hoolahan (foul, 33), Tracey (foul, 80).

Referee: John Busby.