Crawley captain Gary Alexander scored twice to bring Preston's five-game unbeaten run to an end.

Nicky Adams went close for Crawley when he drilled narrowly wide during a quiet first half.

Town took the lead when Alexander headed in Adams' cross, before the striker curled a second past Thorsten Stuckmann from the edge of the box.

Paul Huntington slotted in a late consolation from Joel Byram's free-kick, but Crawley held on to win.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Preston North End manager Graham Westley told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"It was a different test, against a promoted side who are doing well in their new league. They know how to win games.

"In the level of quality, there was probably little to choose between the two sides.

"In terms of work ethic, I think they showed a little bit more than us.

"We've been used to winning games with a certain level of work and a certain quality of football, but we didn't step our game up today. There's evidence today that we've got work to do."

Crawley Town manager Richie Barker told BBC Sussex:

"I thought we were excellent today. The players attitude is fantastic on a daily basis.

"To come here and win the game and be the better side speaks volumes about the players.

"I've learnt a lot about a few players today. I thought Bulman and Connolly were fantastic.

"If the players believe in themselves, they'll do good."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Preston North End

  • 01 Stuckmann
  • 03 Laird
  • 04 Huntington
  • 06 Cansdell-Sherriff
  • 16 Buchanan (Byrom - 46' )
  • 26 Wright (Amoo - 63' )
  • 08 Wroe
  • 17 Monakana (Hayhurst - 73' )
  • 19 Welsh Booked
  • 12 Sodje Booked
  • 29 Beavon

Substitutes

  • 23 Simonsen
  • 13 Byrom
  • 18 Procter
  • 20 Beardsley
  • 22 King
  • 24 Hayhurst
  • 07 Amoo

Crawley Town

  • 01 Jones
  • 03 Sadler
  • 04 Connolly
  • 05 McFadzean
  • 13 Hunt
  • 15 Bulman
  • 16 Adams
  • 18 Cooper
  • 21 Jones (Walsh - 87' )
  • 09 Alexander
  • 14 Ajose Booked (Clarke - 76' )

Substitutes

  • 25 Kuipers
  • 12 Walsh
  • 20 Wassmer
  • 02 Davies
  • 07 Clarke
  • 22 Neilson
  • 10 Forte
Ref: Webb
Att: 9,812

Match Stats

Shots

10 12

On target

8 6

Corners

4 1

Fouls

17 8

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:01 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +4:13

Nicky Wroe takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post.

90:00 +3:58

Corner taken left-footed by Joel Byrom.

90:00 +3:27

David Amoo produces a cross, Nicky Wroe takes a shot. Save made by Paul Jones.

90:00 +2:19

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mark Connolly by David Amoo. Paul Jones takes the direct free kick.

90:00 +0:17

Assist by Joel Byrom.

90:00 +0:17 Goal scored

Goal - Paul Huntington - Preston 1 - 2 Crawley A goal is scored by Paul Huntington from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Preston 1-2 Crawley Town.

87:45

Joe Walsh concedes a free kick for a foul on John Welsh. A cross is delivered by Joel Byrom,

87:15

Gary Alexander concedes a free kick for a foul on Shane Cansdell-Sherriff. Shane Cansdell-Sherriff takes the direct free kick.

85:45

Nicky Wroe crosses the ball.

85:45 Substitution

Substitution Joe Walsh comes on in place of Mike Jones.

85:45

Unfair challenge on Akpo Sodje by Mark Connolly results in a free kick.

83:03

John Welsh sends in a cross, Mark Connolly manages to make a clearance.

80:27

Scott Laird produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide left of the target.

79:25

Centre by William Hayhurst, clearance made by Scott Laird. Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Scott Laird, save by Paul Jones.

79:09

Gary Alexander gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Shane Cansdell-Sherriff. Shane Cansdell-Sherriff takes the direct free kick.

78:59

The ball is delivered by David Amoo, David Hunt makes a clearance.

78:00

The ball is delivered by Nicky Adams, clearance made by Scott Laird.

75:48 Substitution

Substitution Nick Ajose leaves the field to be replaced by Billy Clarke.

74:59

A cross is delivered by David Amoo, David Hunt manages to make a clearance.

74:43

David Amoo produces a cross.

73:05

Nicky Adams takes a shot. John Welsh gets a block in.

72:05 Substitution

Substitution William Hayhurst comes on in place of Jeffrey Monakana.

71:53

Jeffrey Monakana crosses the ball.

69:31

A cross is delivered by David Amoo, blocked by Mat Sadler.

67:50

A cross is delivered by Mat Sadler, Gary Alexander takes a shot. Save made by Thorsten Stuckmann.

66:18

Akpo Sodje concedes a free kick for a foul on Mat Sadler. Direct free kick taken by Paul Jones.

64:45

Foul by David Amoo on Mat Sadler, free kick awarded. Paul Jones restarts play with the free kick.

63:30

Nicky Adams fouled by David Amoo, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Mat Sadler, save by Thorsten Stuckmann.

62:48 Substitution

Substitution David Amoo joins the action as a substitute, replacing Bailey Wright.

61:34 Booking

Booking Nick Ajose booked for unsporting behaviour.

58:53

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nicky Adams by Bailey Wright. Mat Sadler takes the free kick.

57:49

Assist on the goal came from Mike Jones.

57:49 Goal scored

Goal - Gary Alexander - Preston 0 - 2 Crawley Gary Alexander grabs a goal from outside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Preston 0-2 Crawley Town.

55:48

The ball is sent over by Jeffrey Monakana, save by Paul Jones.

53:40

Assist on the goal came from Nicky Adams.

53:40 Goal scored

Goal - Gary Alexander - Preston 0 - 1 Crawley Gary Alexander finds the net with a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Preston 0-1 Crawley Town.

53:30

Centre by Nicky Adams,

52:20

Jeffrey Monakana crosses the ball.

51:50

Joel Byrom takes a shot. Shaun Cooper gets a block in.

51:03

Kyle McFadzean takes a shot. Thorsten Stuckmann makes a comfortable save.

50:43

The ball is swung over by Nicky Adams, Scott Laird manages to make a clearance.

50:11

Unfair challenge on Gary Alexander by Paul Huntington results in a free kick. Kyle McFadzean restarts play with the free kick.

48:33

Mat Sadler fouled by Nicky Wroe, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Mat Sadler from left wing, Paul Huntington manages to make a clearance.

47:30

Nicky Wroe takes a shot. Dannie Bulman gets a block in.

46:55

Gary Alexander concedes a free kick for a foul on Shane Cansdell-Sherriff. Free kick taken by Scott Laird.

46:32

The referee blows for offside. Thorsten Stuckmann takes the free kick.

45:50

Jeffrey Monakana delivers the ball.

45:01

The second half kicks off.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution David Buchanan leaves the field to be replaced by Joel Byrom.

45:00 +2:53 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.

45:00 +2:23

The official flags Stuart Beavon offside. Free kick taken by Paul Jones.

44:57

Foul by Stuart Beavon on Mark Connolly, free kick awarded. Paul Jones takes the free kick.

43:47

Free kick awarded for a foul by David Hunt on Scott Laird. Direct free kick taken by Shane Cansdell-Sherriff.

39:05

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kyle McFadzean by Nicky Wroe. Free kick taken by Mat Sadler.

39:05

Foul by Nicky Wroe on Kyle McFadzean, free kick awarded. Mat Sadler takes the direct free kick.

37:28

Mark Connolly takes a shot from just outside the penalty area which clears the crossbar.

36:23 Booking

Booking John Welsh is given a yellow card.

36:14

Free kick awarded for a foul by John Welsh on Mat Sadler. Direct free kick taken by Mark Connolly.

35:30

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kyle McFadzean by Akpo Sodje. Kyle McFadzean takes the free kick.

34:47

Free kick awarded for a foul by Stuart Beavon on Kyle McFadzean. Paul Jones takes the direct free kick.

34:16

Effort on goal by Gary Alexander from outside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

33:09 Booking

Booking Akpo Sodje is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

32:43

Unfair challenge on Mark Connolly by Akpo Sodje results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Paul Jones.

31:58

Mike Jones is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Thorsten Stuckmann restarts play with the free kick.

31:36

Mat Sadler delivers the ball, clearance by David Buchanan.

31:14

The ball is swung over by Nicky Adams, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff manages to make a clearance.

30:38

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Thorsten Stuckmann.

29:35

Stuart Beavon takes a shot. Save by Paul Jones.

25:14

Mat Sadler produces a cross, Dannie Bulman has a headed effort at goal from just inside the penalty area that misses to the left of the goal.

23:47

Nick Ajose crosses the ball, John Welsh makes a clearance.

22:43

Nicky Adams has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses left.

21:50

Unfair challenge on Nicky Adams by Bailey Wright results in a free kick. Mat Sadler takes the free kick.

21:03

The ball is swung over by Mike Jones, Thorsten Stuckmann makes a save.

20:31

Mike Jones delivers the ball, clearance by John Welsh.

20:03

Stuart Beavon takes a shot. Paul Jones makes a comfortable save.

19:12

Centre by Scott Laird, David Buchanan takes a shot. Save made by Paul Jones.

17:50

Jeffrey Monakana sends in a cross, clearance by David Hunt.

17:20

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Bailey Wright by Nicky Adams. Thorsten Stuckmann takes the direct free kick.

16:56

Nick Ajose takes a shot. Blocked by Shane Cansdell-Sherriff.

16:11

Nick Ajose takes a shot. Bailey Wright gets a block in.

15:42

Unfair challenge on Mark Connolly by Stuart Beavon results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Mark Connolly.

14:44

Corner taken left-footed by Nick Ajose from the left by-line, Akpo Sodje manages to make a clearance.

14:30

Dannie Bulman crosses the ball, Paul Huntington manages to make a clearance.

13:27

David Buchanan delivers the ball, Stuart Beavon has an effort at goal from close in which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

13:08

The ball is delivered by Stuart Beavon, Shaun Cooper makes a clearance.

11:22

Corner taken left-footed by Scott Laird.

10:45

The ball is delivered by Jeffrey Monakana, Mark Connolly makes a clearance.

9:13

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mark Connolly on Stuart Beavon. Free kick crossed by Scott Laird, Paul Jones makes a save.

8:38

Mat Sadler produces a left-footed shot from outside the box and misses left.

8:25

David Hunt sends in a cross, clearance made by Paul Huntington.

7:14

Kyle McFadzean fouled by John Welsh, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Paul Jones.

6:08

The ball is sent over by Mike Jones.

5:42

Gary Alexander is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Thorsten Stuckmann.

5:00

John Welsh takes a shot. Paul Jones makes a save.

3:26

Foul by Akpo Sodje on Kyle McFadzean, free kick awarded. Paul Jones takes the direct free kick.

1:46

Centre by David Buchanan, Mat Sadler makes a clearance.

1:46

The ball is swung over by David Buchanan, Mat Sadler makes a clearance.

0:00

The match begins.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association