By this point, though, City were trailing two-nil and the game was almost out of their reach. The first goal came with just 95 seconds on the clock after a mistake by recalled centre-back Gary Kemp. His attempted clearance went straight to Restarick and he picked out Bagnall in acres of space. He carried the ball forward before crossing to Carroll who, despite completely mis-hitting his shot, beat Hervin from close range. City never recovered from this and were fortunate to hold out for another 13 minutes before the visitors doubled their lead. Again their back-line was awol allowing Bagnall to collect a long clearance and fire past Hervin with ease. A third goal was only prevented by Hervin's reactions after 21 minutes, the keeper turning Harlow's 25 yard effort to safety. Shortly after Foster's departure City boss Alan Pridham, forced to watch the game from the stand following a seven day touchline ban, made another change, replacing Jeff MacLean with new signing Mark Badman and switching to a 3-5-2 formation. The change did improve City's fortunes somewhat as Keen fired over and Zabek forced a save out of keeper Little.

The second half began in similar fashion as City controlled much of the possession and just before the hour mark they pulled a goal back. Jamie Gosling and Zabek combined down the right flank allowing the former to pick out Bradley Thomas with a pin-point cross and his header found the top corner of the net. For a ten-minute spell after the goal City suddenly looked capable of finding a way back into the game but they failed to force a save out of Little and, as Crawley regained their composure, their little burst seemed to run out of steam. Too often passes went astray and the momentum they had built up disappeared, leaving the Sussex side to run out fairly comfortable winners.