Crawley Town v Carlisle United, Saturday 25 February, kick off 3pm
Just the one win from the last nine league games has seen the Red Devils drop into the relegation zone at this important stage of the season.
Crucially they have games in hand over all of their closest rivals, but form will need to change soon if they're to avoid an end-of-season nail-biting session.
Six victories from 29 games is at the heart of the current struggles, with a heavy tally of 47 goals against also a problem.
Behind the scenes it's fair to say there's been a fair amount of turmoil, with Kevin Betsy sacked as early as the beginning of October, with the club stuck at the bottom of League Two at that point.
Lewis Young took over on what turned out to be a temporary basis, with the surprise appointment of Matthew Etherington confirmed at the end of November.
Just 32 days later Etherington moved on, and Swindon Town's head coach Scott Lindsey became the third permanent coach of the season when he was appointed on 11 January.
He took his time to weigh up his squad, but Swindon midfielder Ben Gladwin became his first signing at the end of January.
Deadline day brought a flurry of incoming activity as undisclosed fees brought Mansfield full-back Kellan Gordon and Woking midfielder Jack Roles into the club.
Keeper Ryan Schofield joined on-loan from Huddersfield, as did midfielder Jack Spong from Brighton.
Striker Dom Telford has nine goals from 30 appearances in all competitions so far this season, and he's one that is always a threat.
He joined the Red Devils in the summer and hit his best form through the festive period, with three goals in two outings.
He's powerful, and he knows where the goal is, so he gets our nod as the one to watch.
Click HERE to purchase an audio match pass which will allow you to listen to this game via our streaming iFollow service.
With match commentary provided by BBC Radio Cumbria, this is a fantastic way to follow your team through the season.
Match audio passes are available for ALL EFL league games - click HERE to find out more about this season’s iFollow United service.
| Carlisle wins | Draws | Crawley wins | |
| League | 11 | 7 | 3 |
| Total | 11 | 7 | 3 |
A goal from Kris Dennis with just five minutes on the clock was enough to earn the Blues an opening day win over Crawley at Brunton Park in July 2022.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Ash Nadesan scored before the half hour when the Red Devils came to Brunton Park in January 2021, and the Blues had to remain patient as they kept knocking on a seemingly closed door. Lewis Alessandra raised the roof with a late, late equaliser.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
United were in Crawley in September 2021 and the hosts took a lead into the break thanks to Tom Nichols. Jon Mellish equalised with just seven minutes to go, but Nick Tsaroulla netted a last-ditch winner with seconds left on the clock.
You can watch the highlights from that game here:
March 2021 brought Crawley to Brunton Park once again and they were put to the sword by goals from Joe Riley and Omari Patrick.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
United's trip to Crawley in November 2020 proved to be productive as a goal just before the break from Rhys Bennett provided a springboard. Josh Kayode and Aaron Hayden made it 3-0, and a bad day became worse for the Red Devils when David Sesay received late marching orders.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
These sides came together down in Crawley just before the lockdown, in February 2020. It was a tight, tense, 0-0 draw, with both teams missing chances to snatch it.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Prior to that the Red Devils headed to Brunton Park for the opening game of the 2019/20 season. Harry McKirdy opened the scoring with just six minutes on the clock, but the Reds were back on terms just 10 minutes later when Beryly Lubala pounced. The lead was restored just before half time by Stefan Scougall, and that's how it stayed with the hosts holding on to take the three points. A feisty encounter saw Luke Young sent off in time added on.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Carlisle United 4 – 2 Crawley Town, 27 April 2019
Crawley Town 2 – 3 Carlisle United, 22 December 2018
Carlisle United 2 – 2 Crawley Town, 17 March 2018
Crawley Town 0 – 1 Carlisle United, 30 September 2017
Referee: Paul Howard
Assistant 1: Dean Treleaven
Assistant 2: Scott Williams
Fourth Official: Paul Johnson
Our referee for this fixture is Mr Paul Howard. Paul has taken charge of 15 games so far this season and has shown 34 yellow cards and three reds.
He was our man in the middle for our meeting with Cambridge at the Abbey Stadium in September 2020. The hosts won 3-0 and yellow cards were shown to Callum Guy, Jon Mellish, Omari Patrick and Gime Toure.
We also saw him for our 0-0 away draw with Port Vale in Augist 2021. Brennan Dickenson and Tristan Abrahams were booked that night.
Tickets can be purchased on the day of the game from the ticket cabin which accepts cash and card. There will be no increase in price. Match day ticket collections will be from the collections window in the grey portacabin.
Prices
| Seating | Terrace | |
| Adult | £17 | £15 |
| Senior 60+ | £12 | £10 |
| Student with valid ID | £12 | £10 |
| Young adult 16 - 20 | £5 | £5 |
| Young person 12 -15 | £4 | £4 |
| Young person 12 - 15 when purchased with an adult, senior or student | FOC | FOC |
| Under 12 only with a paying adult ticket | FOC | FOC |
Ambulant disabled supporters will pay the relevant price with the carer free of charge.
Wheelchair users need to contact Crawley Town directly on 01293 410000.
Dates of sale
| Date | Time |
| Thu 23 Feb | 10am – 4pm |
Methods of purchase:
- In person – come to the main ticket office at the designated time. Sales on home match days are from the west side ticket office.
- Phone – ring the ticket office 0330 0945 930 option 1 at the designated times and pay with a credit / debit card.
- Internet – buy online HERE.
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If you wish to purchase bus travel you can organise this by calling CUSAT on 07563 700 987.