Crawley Town v Harrogate Town: Sulphurites are feeling good ahead of Red Devils clash

Town players celebrate Josh March's equalising goal during Saturday's League Two win over Newport County. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

The Sulphurites moved nine points clear of the League Two drop-zone when they beat promotion-chasing Newport County 2-1 at Wetherby Road last time out.

And that result, the club’s first win in five matches, was the icing on the cake for Weaver and his men following a sequence of much-improved performances.

Next up is a tricky-looking clash with 11th-placed Crawley on Saturday, but the Town boss says his players will make the long journey down to Sussex full of confidence and in positive frame of mind.

Sulphurites boss Simon Weaver says his players are in a good place ahead of this weekend's trip to Crawley.

“We couldn’t train on Tuesday because of the snow, but there’s been a brilliant atmosphere among the group this week,” he said.

“There was a real energy about the lads, and that’s what a good result does for you. The chemistry is great at the minute.

“It’s been building over the last month. We all know the importance of the outcomes of matches, but when we’ve come away from the four games prior to Saturday and analysed them, we’ve seen a gradual improvement each time in terms of the performance.

“We just needed the three points, which we got against Newport and we can carry the positives from that result into what’s going to be an extremely competitive contest at Crawley on Saturday.”

The Red Devils, who caused a huge FA Cup upset when they beat Premier League Leeds United 3-0 last month, have lost only one of their previous 10 League outings.

“We know they’re a very good side, everyone saw that when they turned Leeds over a few weeks ago,” Weaver added.

“They’ve got some really talented players and they’re always very competitive.

“They were disappointed to draw a blank against Leyton Orient in midweek, I listened to their manager’s comments after the game and I know they’ll be baying for blood when we go there on Saturday.”

Town drew 1-1 with Crawley when the sides met at the EnviroVent Stadium in November, Jack Muldoon netting an 85th-minute equaliser to cancel out Max Watters' first-half opener.

That goal against Harrogate was one of 16 that the prolific Red Devils striker netted in just 19 appearances this term, but Weaver's men will not have to worry about dealing with him this weekend.

The 21-year-old joined Championship outfit Cardiff City during the January transfer window for a reported £1 million fee.