A first half John-Paul Pittman goal proved decisive as Crawley edged to victory in the top of the table clash with Kettering.
After a tentative opening from both sides, the eventual winning goal arrived in the 12th minute as striker Pittman was left unmarked to nod home a free-kick.
The match was proving an evenly-fought, physical contest and the visitors perhaps should have pulled level when Darren Wrack broke through on the edge of the area only to drag his effort well wide of Simon Rayner's goal.
Kettering did have the ball in the net when Exodus Geoghaghan launched one of many huge throw-ins which Rayner appeared to carry over the line. However, the referee saved the Reds goalkeeper by blowing for a foul.
The second half saw much of the same, but with Reds looking more prepared to mix it with the opposition midfield.
Geoghaghan received his marching orders for a second bookable offence and Reds sensed a chance to put the seal on the game.
And this they nearly did when a cross from the right was expertly diverted goalwards by substitute Steve Fletcher only to come back off the post.
A period of late possession saw Crawley under the cosh but they held out to stretch their lead at the top of the Blue Square Premier to three points.
After a tentative opening from both sides, the eventual winning goal arrived in the 12th minute as striker Pittman was left unmarked to nod home a free-kick.
The match was proving an evenly-fought, physical contest and the visitors perhaps should have pulled level when Darren Wrack broke through on the edge of the area only to drag his effort well wide of Simon Rayner's goal.
Kettering did have the ball in the net when Exodus Geoghaghan launched one of many huge throw-ins which Rayner appeared to carry over the line. However, the referee saved the Reds goalkeeper by blowing for a foul.
The second half saw much of the same, but with Reds looking more prepared to mix it with the opposition midfield.
Geoghaghan received his marching orders for a second bookable offence and Reds sensed a chance to put the seal on the game.
And this they nearly did when a cross from the right was expertly diverted goalwards by substitute Steve Fletcher only to come back off the post.
A period of late possession saw Crawley under the cosh but they held out to stretch their lead at the top of the Blue Square Premier to three points.