Cresswell puts ref on the spot over kick
YORK CITY caretaker boss Richard Cresswell believes pressure on the referee from the Crawley players played a crucial role in his side’s loss to a late penalty.
Simon Walton scored from the spot for a second game in a row, as Crawley managed to grind out a fourth win in their last five games.
Referee Charles Breakspear pointed to the spot with just minutes remaining after Eddie Nolan was adjudged to have fouled Sonny Bradley.
“We’ve been done by a dubious decision from the referee,” Cresswell said.
“I’ve just watched it back and ultimately it’s not a penalty, but the referee has got a decision to make and I think he might have been influenced by a few of their players.”
Cresswell took over following the dismissal of Russ Wilcox and is one of a number of contenders to take the job on a full-time basis.
However, he refused to be drawn on speculation, saying: “When you step into this role you either take a step back and think this isn’t for me, or you take a step forward.
“Everybody knows there are a lot of applicants for the job. It’s a job that a lot of people would like. I’m sure the chairman - whatever decision he makes - will make the right one.”
York could have stormed into an early lead, when Vadaine Oliver could only poke wide.
The Minstermen had the better chances in the first period, with James Berrett testing Darryl Flahavan in the Crawley goal.
The former Southend United stopper then pulled off a fantastic save to deny an impressive volley from Oliver.The forward then wasted a free header from eight yards, while York keeper Scott Flinders was repeatedly called into action.
The match looked to be heading for a goalless conclusion, until Walton sent Flinders the wrong way from the spot in the 86th minute – his third penalty in the last five games.
The Reds have taken 12 points from a possible 18, which has seen them pull away from the relegation zone.
Crawley manager Mark Yates said: “This is what we needed. It was always going to be like this, I felt. They’re a really good group and they’ve got a great work ethic.
“We’re not the best team in the league, by a million miles and we had a little blip a few weeks ago that we all talked about, but since then they’ve responded brilliantly. They give me everything and sometimes that’s not enough, but at the moment there’s a real togetherness about the whole group.
“We’ve had a good month, we’ve shown a lot of signs of improvement and even when we don’t play at our best, we’re still grinding things out.”