Sullay Kaikai brace helps in-form Cambridge to comfortable win at Crawley

Two second-half strikes from substitute Sullay Kaikai after a first-half opener from Shane McLoughlin lifted Cambridge into the League Two automatic promotion places with a deserved 3-0 victory at Crawley.

The U’s seventh win in their last eight games left Crawley five points clear of the drop zone.

Striker Danilo Orsi came close to giving Crawley the lead after only 59 seconds but his low shot was blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Jake Eastwood.

Harry McKirdy headed an Orsi cross wide before unmarked midfielder McLoughlin put Cambridge in front just before the break by slotting in a James Gibbons cross at the back post.

Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu should have doubled the advantage four minutes after the interval but shot straight at keeper Jacob Chapman.

Crawley defender Josh Flint headed a Kellan Gordon cross just wide before substitute Dominic Ball blazed wide at the other end.

Substitute Kaikai made the game safe for Cambridge 15 minutes from time in a swift counter attack, tucking in Shayne Lavery’s assist at close range in front of the travelling fans.

And Kaikai added the third in the last minute of stoppage time to complete a straightforward victory.