Reds have to share the spoils in six-goal thriller

Josh Woods (right) scored twice in Accrington Stanley’s entertaining 3-3 draw with Crawley Town
Josh Woods (right) scored twice in Accrington Stanley’s entertaining 3-3 draw with Crawley Town
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Josh Woods took his goal tally to seven for the season with a double in a 3-3 draw with relegation-threatened Crawley Town.

Woods scored either side of an Isaac Sinclair strike to make it four goals in four games for the forward.

However every time Stanley went in front, Crawley pegged them back as both sides had to settle for a point.

Freddie Sass was the only change from the 2-2 draw at Swindon. The defender missed out with injury with Tyler Walton back in the starting XI, returning from a three-game ban.

It was an even opening with Crawley having the first real chance on 13 minutes, Tobi Adeyemo firing wide.

Stanley opened the scoring on 23 minutes when Shaun Whalley’s corner was headed home at the near post by Woods.

The Reds pressed around the Town box but were unable to make any real chances before Crawley equalised on 37 minutes when Louie Watson’s cross was bundled home by Harry Forster.

Jay Williams headed over for the visitors before the break.

Stanley retook the lead on 49 minutes when Tyler Walton’s pass deflected into the path of Isaac Sinclair and he made space for himself before blasting home. It was Sinclair’s fifth goal of the campaign.

Donald Love rifled a shot into the side netting on 56 minutes as Stanley looked to increase their lead.

But it was Crawley who struck next on 58 minutes with a goalbound shot from substitute Taylor Richards going into the net off Devon Matthews.

Stanley came back again when Liam Coyle’s cross fell into the path of Woods who rifled the ball into the top of the net on 64 minutes to again put Stanley ahead.

But Crawley are battling for their lives and made it 3-3 on 71 minutes when a strike from the edge of the box by Richards was pushed out by Ollie Wright and Town’s captain Jay Williams tapped home from close range.

Stanley: Wright, Matthews Rawson, Walton, O’Brien, Coyle, Butterfield (Conneely), Love, Whalley, Sinclair, Woods

Subs: Kelly, Grant, Brown, Martin, Hall, Abimbola

Crowd: 2240 (260 from Crawley)

Yellow: Walton

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