Harry McKirdy nets second-half brace as Crawley beat bottom side Cheltenham

Harry McKirdy scored a second-half brace as Crawley recorded their first home League Two win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Cheltenham, who dropped to the bottom.

The improving Red Devils brightened the mood at rainy Broadfield Stadium with a second-successive win and clean sheet, but the result marked a sixth defeat in eight league outings for the visitors.

Crawley posed the most threat in the first half and Geraldo Bajrami – on his full home debut – cannoned a shot onto the underside of the crossbar just before the half-hour mark.

Goalkeeper Joe Day blocked an early McKirdy shot and for forward’s first touch was heavy after Charlie Barker set him up in front of goal.

Cheltenham lived dangerously shortly after the interval when Kabongo Tshimanga broke through but his cross just eluded McKirdy in the six-yard box.

McKirdy broke the deadlock after 68 minutes when Dion Pereira’s fine pass picked him out and he gave Day no chance with a low shot into the bottom corner.

Former Swindon striker McKirdy settled the issue five minutes from time from the penalty spot after Freddy Willcox was penalised for pushing Ade Adeyemo.