AFC Wimbledon 2-5 Crawley Town
Last updated on .From the section Football
League Two leaders Crawley recorded an impressive win at AFC Wimbledon.
The Red Devils went 2-0 up through Chris Bush's own goal and Claude Davis' thumping header - both scores coming from Andy Drury corners.
Davis put through his own goal and Jack Midson finished fiercely to level it at the break.
Matt Tubbs' penalty, after a Callum McNaughton handball, put the visitors back in front before Dannie Bulman notched a brace of headers.
The win was the Red Devils' sixth successive victory and they continue to sit two points clear of Southend at the top of the table.
AFC Wimbledon have now lost two games on the bounce and drop out of the play-off positions.
The first ever Football League clash between these two sides saw Crawley 2-1 up inside a breathless first 15 minutes.
Bush sliced horribly into his own net before Davis' powerful header put the visitors two goals to the good, only for Davis to then put through his own net.
Midson deservedly equalised for the hosts with a superb low strike after Crawley failed to deal with a long free-kick.
Crawley went back in front after the interval after McNaughton handled a Davis header from another Drury corner - Tubbs confidently despatching the spot-kick beyond Dons keeper Seb Brown.
Shortly after Bulman wrapped up the points from close range after John Akinde had powered his way into the area.
Bulman then put some gloss on the result with a back post header from substitute Hope Akpan's cross.
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AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Brown told BBC London 94.9:
"It was a shocking defensive display from us.
"We gave them a two-goal start after 15 minutes, both from corners.
"One was a ridiculous own goal and the other a free header.
"It would take a team of exceptional character to bounce back from such ludicrous defending."
Crawley manager Steve Evans told BBC Sussex:
"We were poor first half, despite two early goals. Maybe the lads thought two-up job done.
"I thought our three substitutions today shows our strength and depth we've got. I thought (John) Akinde was excellent. And I thought Scott Neilson and Hope Akpan changed the course of the game.
"We've shown today if we need to change personnel and systems we can. We've lost Tyrone Barnett and David Hunt. Sergio Torres had a caution and was lucky to stay on the pitch so we took him off."
