Crawley boss Scott Lindsey has made 13 signings in January and his overhauled team have taken seven points from their last three games.

Rock-bottom Harrogate are now winless in their last 19 league games, a run that spans over four months, and they have lost 15 of those matches.

Crawley broke the deadlock on 28 minutes when Ronan Darcy had a shot blocked and midfielder Anderson drilled the rebound under keeper Mark Oxley, who was forced off injured shortly after.

Harrogate had threatened early on when Jack Evans headed a free-kick over before Bryn Morris forced keeper Jacob Chapman to save smartly with his legs.

Crawley’s on-loan keeper Chapman came to their rescue shortly after the interval by parrying a goal-bound shot from Cathal Heffernan.

Josh Flint doubled Crawley’s lead in the 66th minute through Flint, who firmly headed a Darcy corner home at the far post in front of the home fans.

Crawley’s victory would be particularly satisfying for keeper Chapman, on loan from Huddersfield, who has opened his stint with the club with three successive clean sheets – the first time the Red Devils have recorded this for nearly two years.