Yeovil Town v Crawley result and match analysis

Yeovil Town threw away a two-goal lead and two points against Crawley Town as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Huish Park.

The Glovers crumbled from a commanding position in npower League One after Byron Webster and Paddy Madden gave them a comfortable lead.

However, they looked a shadow of their first half selves after the break, gifting the Reds a way back into the game, conceding twice in 16 minutes and missing a chance to close in on the top two.

Sam Foley's abdominal muscle injury meant he missed the clash, Ben Gordon making his Yeovil debut a day after signing a month's contract.

The former Chelsea left footer took just four minutes to announce his arrival. Following a series of Yeovil corners the 22-year-old sent over an enticing cross that Byron Webster forced his way onto and converted with a determined header.

On 14 minutes Mat Sadler danced past Kevin Dawson on the Glovers' right. Marek Stech had to claw away his cross before Dan Burn headed off the line from Paul Hayes as Crawley recycled play.

Four minutes later Yeovil doubled their advantage through top scorer Madden. The Irishman swept home Luke Ayling's centre when the right back showed greatest desire to cross.

The Reds threatened to battle back on 25 minutes. Burn's unnecessary push on Billy Clarke allowed Matt Sparrow the chance to go for goal with a 19-yard free kick, striking the bar and Joe Edwards scrambling clear.

A minute before the half hour mark Sadler again advanced down the Crawley left, crossing for Hayes. But with the goal begging the experienced frontman somehow blazed over from yards.

Yeovil regained control as the half progressed, Ed Upson clipping the outside of the post with a free kick on 40 minutes after Burn and Webster did their best to obscure the view of keeper Paul Jones when lining up the wall.

With three minutes of the half remaining Hayes raced on to a ball over the top with Webster and Burn struggling. Stech did well to parry and Ayling cleared.

The Reds halved the deficit within seconds of the restart as the hosts napped at the back. Hayes was allowed to nod Sparrow's free kick to the far post and Jamie Procter headed in with ease.

As Yeovil continued to capitulate, they had Stech to thank for keeping Crawley at bay on 51 minutes, the Czech Republic stopper blocking Sadler's effort with his feet after Dawson had not tracked his run and Burn and Webster stood still defending his run.

Sadler released Hayes on 56 minutes but Stech again saved and Webster thumped clear in his own six-yard box.

Ayling's 61st-minute free kick picked out James Hayter who headed against the post and as Yeovil switched off, Crawley countered with devastating effect, Matt Sparrow firing home a deserved equaliser.

On 82 minutes the visitors failed to clear a Yeovil attack and after Webster and Burn had headed on Ayling's deliver, Joe Edwards' first time volley rebounded off the far post and back into Paul Jones' hands.

Moments later Nathan Ralph - a first half replacement for Jamie McAllister - timed his run and tackle superbly to dispossess Crawley substitute Aiden O'Brien who was clean through.

With 88 minutes on the clock Webster gifted replacement Mike Jones possession 20 yards from goal and in time and space he left Stech rooted to his spot, rattling the goal frame.

The Glovers were handed a let off in the dying seconds, Dawson's handball from a Nicky Adams centre going unpunished in the box.

Yeovil Town (4-4-2) - Stech; Ayling, Webster, Burn, McAllister (Ralph, 24); Dawson, Upson, Edwards, Gordon (Blizzard, 66); Hayter (Williams, 78), Madden. Unused subs: Hinds, Stewart, Young, Fletcher.

Goals: Webster 4, Madden 18.

Bookings: Webster (foul).

Crawley Town (4-3-3) - P. Jones; Dumbuya, Essam, Walsh, Sadler; Torres (Adams, 69), Bulman, Sparrow; Clarke (M. Jones, 55), Proctor (O'Brien, 77), Hayes. Unused subs: Connolly, Hunt, Taylor, Maddison.

Goals: Proctor 46, Sparrow 62.

Bookings: Sparrow (dissent), Walsh (foul), Proctor (foul).

Att: 3,338.

Ref: James Adcock.