Two second-half goals from substitute Sullay Kaikai, after an opener by Shane McLoughlin, gave the U’s their seventh victory in the last eight games.

Danilo Orsi missed a chance in the first minute for Crawley and Harris said: “Take out the first 75 seconds and I’m really pleased with the response from the lads.

“I saw that in them on the coach coming home last Saturday.

“We took a while to get going in the first half, but although Crawley had plenty of the ball they couldn’t dominate us.”

Harris admitted he was surprised that Crawley played with two strikers and added: “I didn’t expect that.

“Once we got the hang of how to deal with it, I had no doubt we’d come through.

“Quality on the right was key to a lot of it and Pelly Mpanzu was outstanding.”

Crawley boss Scott Lindsey appealed to fans to stick by the players after the Red Devils were booed following their second successive home defeat.

Lindsey said: “We are in a relegation battle and we don’t need the fans to boo us after we’ve lost to the side third in the table.

“We’ve got to be measured. I don’t think the team deserved to be booed.

“It’s not been a great season. I live the club. The players are hurting in there and let’s be measured and let’s stick together.

“It won’t be perfect every game and we’ll lose some games, but don’t boo us after losing to the third-placed team.”

Crawley are five points clear of the drop zone and Lindsey felt his men should have been 2-0 up by half-time.

He added: “It’s on me, I’ve got to coach the team better and expectations need to be managed.”