A Charlie Mapes free-kick four minutes from time gave gutsy Reds a fine draw against Hereford at the Broadfield Stadium.
The visitors displayed all the qualities of a side strongly fancied to take the Conference title this season, and the difference was clear as the Crawley defence had to be on guard straight from the kick-off.
In a first half dominated by the visitors, Reds did manage to force a save from Scotland international Jonathan Gould, the keeper palming out Ian Simpemba's header.
However, for all their superior possession, the Bulls could not find a decisive way past the defence, with the excellent Simpemba in particular, making a series of well-timed tackles.
It took United until the 42nd minute to take the lead when a cross from the right was met expertly by striker Adam Stansfield, who headed into the corner past Andy Little in goal.
As Crawley continually struggled to get any foothold in the game, there were times when Graham Turner's side looked likely to run riot. However, with the score still at 1-0, there was always a glimmer of hope for the home side.
That hope was realised in the 86th minute as Mapes stunned the opposition with his quickly taken set-piece going in off Tony James for the leveller.
The visitors displayed all the qualities of a side strongly fancied to take the Conference title this season, and the difference was clear as the Crawley defence had to be on guard straight from the kick-off.
In a first half dominated by the visitors, Reds did manage to force a save from Scotland international Jonathan Gould, the keeper palming out Ian Simpemba's header.
However, for all their superior possession, the Bulls could not find a decisive way past the defence, with the excellent Simpemba in particular, making a series of well-timed tackles.
It took United until the 42nd minute to take the lead when a cross from the right was met expertly by striker Adam Stansfield, who headed into the corner past Andy Little in goal.
As Crawley continually struggled to get any foothold in the game, there were times when Graham Turner's side looked likely to run riot. However, with the score still at 1-0, there was always a glimmer of hope for the home side.
That hope was realised in the 86th minute as Mapes stunned the opposition with his quickly taken set-piece going in off Tony James for the leveller.