Cheltenham 4-3 Crawley Town
- Published
Cheltenham booked their place in the second round of the Capital One Cup with an extra-time win over Crawley.
Gary Alexander headed the visitors into the lead, only for Matt Richards to equalise from the penalty spot.
Two strikes by Nicky Adams handed the advantage back to Crawley, but Terry Gornell robbed defender Kyle McFadzean to score and Byron Harrison's header took the game to extra-time.
Harrison's 20-yard shot then won it with a penalty shoot-out looming.
It was a dramatic end to a scintillating tie which seemed to be heading the way of League One Crawley when former Leicester and Rochdale playmaker Adams put his side two clear by coolly wrong-footed home goalkeeper Scott Brown.
But Cheltenham, who play their league football in the division below their opponents, fought back in style.
Gorbell found the net at the second attempt after his initial shot was saved by Paul Jones before Harrison's 75th-minute header levelled affairs.
The former AFC Wimbledon striker then provided a fitting climax with a drilled shot that flew just inside the post in the dying stages of injury-time.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Yates credits 'resilient' Cheltenham
Cheltenham Town manager Mark Yates told 91热爆 Gloucestershire:
"Once we decided to be a bit more aggressive and competitive we were excellent.
"To come back from 3-1 down with 20 minutes to go showed courage and resilience. It was a great game of football.
"It's nice to see a bit of fighting spirit. If we're going to be successful we need to be together and show some resilience. They did that today."
Barker concerned with Crawley
Crawley Town manager Richie Barker told 91热爆 Sussex:
"There was some poor decision making and a lack of guts to put your head in the place where it might get hurt. There was some fantastic football, some good goals and we always looked a threat going forward but unfortunately so did they.
"I don't think (Kyle McFadzean) was fouled and he should have learned from his mistakes. Now he's been out for a long time and there's going to be an element on the rustiness but he should be making better decisions.
"We're actually bigger than we were last year, so it is a concern because it's not tough to go and mark somebody and pick them up. It's something we need to address on very quickly."