Shots end memorable week on a low
Crawley brought Aldershot back down to earth as loanee Michael Doughty scored the only goal of the game to inflict a 1-0 defeat.
On a day that had seen the Shots drawn against Manchester United in the fourth round of the Carling Cup - the first time the club has reached the last 16 of the competition - Dean Holdsworth's men were unable to continue the good form that had seen them go eight matches unbeaten.
Making his seventh appearance since signing temporarily from QPR, Doughty's moment of ingenuity proved the difference when his cross-shot just after the hour mark went in off the far post.
The Shots came within inches of breaking the deadlock on the half-hour. Ben Herd released Danny Hylton and, from the right corner of the area, he unleashed a drive just wide.
In a game lacking creative spark, Crawley's Doughty - an early substitute for the injured Andy Drury - was beginning to assert himself and went close after 55 minutes when he stung the palms of Ross Worner.
Doughty's tenacity on the right flank was rewarded just after the hour. After cutting in from the wing, his left-footed drive eluded all in the area before nestling in off the woodwork.
The Red Devils came close to doubling their advantage, with substitute John Akinde heading over from six yards and then fluffing wide from the same distance in injury time.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG