Gabriele Cioffi relieved after Crawley return to winning ways against Colchester

Crawley head coach Gabriele Cioffi felt his side were “back on track” after they recovered  from going a goal  behind to defeat Colchester 2-1 at the Broadfield Stadium.

Luke Prosser headed the U’s in front 10 minutes before the break, but second-half goals from Reece Grego-Cox and Mason Bloomfield secured the Reds` first win in five league games.

Crawley also struck the post twice in a much improved second-half performance, and a delighted Cioffi said: “I’m proud of what we have done.

“In the second half we played our way; with aggression on the front foot.

“We were not humble enough previously at Forest Green but we are now back on track.

“No one gave up even in a flat first half. For us to get back on track and move closer to 50 points is what was needed.”

Crawley have scored in every league game since March 30 and Italian Cioffi is pleased that goals are being spread around.

He added: “We were poor in the first half but it was vital to get to 1-1 quickly and the boys are playing positively.

“We didn’t have a mid-week game and that helped us a lot. We are fast learners and that is the mentality we’ve created from day one.”

Colchester boss John McGreal described his side’s second half display as “not good enough” as they crashed to their first defeat in six league and cup games.

He said: “The players have let themselves down. We felt we were on a good run and now we must pick ourselves up again.

“We had felt we had turned the corner after the start that we had.”

McGreal was at a loss to explain his team’s start to the second half and added: “We needed a quick start and didn’t get it.

“We knew they would be a reaction from Crawley in the second half. They are the top team for shots outside the box but we let ourselves down.

“Crawley gained territory and the space in front of the back four was not tight enough.

“After Crawley scored you have to try and change it, but crosses were still coming into the box.”