Crawley find form to thump Bristol Rovers

Tom Lockyer’s return to competitive action could not inspire 10-man Bristol Rovers as they were thrashed 4-0 at Crawley – their fourth successive league defeat.

Defender Lockyer, 30, started the game and successfully came through 57 minutes in his first competitive match since December 2023 when he suffered a cardiac arrest during Luton’s Premier League game against Bournemouth.

A first half own goal from Alfie Kilgour and second half strikes by Harry Forster, Scott Malone and Louis Flower gave Crawley their first win in six league outings.

After a cagey opening, the game came to life after 34 minutes when Rovers defender Jack Sparkes received a straight red card for handling a corner from Kyle Scott.

Striker Ryan Loft stepped up to take the penalty but his spot kick cannoned off keeper Luke Southwood’s right-hand post.

Rovers striker Shaqai Forde had a shot come back off the underside of the bar before Crawley broke the deadlock when defender Kilgour deflected a shot from Malone into his own net deep into first half added time.

The Red Devils doubled their advantage seven minutes after the break through substitute Forster who netted easily at the far post from Malone’s cross, and Malone made it 3-0 after 70 minutes with a close-range shot.

Substitute Flower sealed victory by firing home four minutes from time.