The home side scored their first goal of the season and looked to be going on to take the points after dominating most of the game, but a penalty from Darryn Stamp and a free- kick from substitute Danny Williams gave Stevenage victory.
Crawley had three opportunities to break the deadlock in the first half. The first came after six minutes when former Stevenage midfielder Simon Wormull floated a left-foot effort just over from the edge of the box.
Danny Ekoku had a close-range effort blocked by keeper Alan Julian, before Wormull curled a free-kick inches wide on the stroke of half-time.
Stevenage were fortunate not to have been a man down by then after Stamp caught Dave Woozley with an elbow while challenging for a header. It left the Crawley defender with blood pouring from his head. but Stamp escaped with a caution.
The visitors' first shot on target came just after the break when Dannie Bulman had a rasping drive parried at full length by Phil Smith.
The chance sparked a spell of pressure by Boro and they should have gone ahead soon afterwards when Jon Nurse scuffed his shot straight at Smith from five yards.
Stevenage were made to pay after 59 minutes with a goal from Crawley's Stuart Douglas. The former Luton striker beat Matt Hocking to a curling cross from Ben Judge and prodded a volley into the bottom corner.
Stamp equalised with a coolly taken spot kick after 72 minutes after Ian Simpemba had been penalised for hand-ball.
Stevenage snatched the points 10 minutes later when substitute Williams curled in a delightful free-kick with his first touch after coming on.
The win was soured slightly for the visitors after captain Jason Goodliffe was shown a straight red card two minutes from time for kicking out at Steve Burton as the two players tussled at a free-kick.
Crawley had three opportunities to break the deadlock in the first half. The first came after six minutes when former Stevenage midfielder Simon Wormull floated a left-foot effort just over from the edge of the box.
Danny Ekoku had a close-range effort blocked by keeper Alan Julian, before Wormull curled a free-kick inches wide on the stroke of half-time.
Stevenage were fortunate not to have been a man down by then after Stamp caught Dave Woozley with an elbow while challenging for a header. It left the Crawley defender with blood pouring from his head. but Stamp escaped with a caution.
The visitors' first shot on target came just after the break when Dannie Bulman had a rasping drive parried at full length by Phil Smith.
The chance sparked a spell of pressure by Boro and they should have gone ahead soon afterwards when Jon Nurse scuffed his shot straight at Smith from five yards.
Stevenage were made to pay after 59 minutes with a goal from Crawley's Stuart Douglas. The former Luton striker beat Matt Hocking to a curling cross from Ben Judge and prodded a volley into the bottom corner.
Stamp equalised with a coolly taken spot kick after 72 minutes after Ian Simpemba had been penalised for hand-ball.
Stevenage snatched the points 10 minutes later when substitute Williams curled in a delightful free-kick with his first touch after coming on.
The win was soured slightly for the visitors after captain Jason Goodliffe was shown a straight red card two minutes from time for kicking out at Steve Burton as the two players tussled at a free-kick.