REBELS BLOW THEIR CHANCE OF UPSET

But the dream was to turn sour though as Conference club Crawley played their get-out-of-jail free card with a three- goal blast to reach the lucrative fourth round for the first time.

The Rebels' crocked first-teamers Nko Ekoku, Chris Dicker and Stuart Holmes were all passed fit to start. Sam Francis and Clay Lamont were also surprise returnees on the substitutes' bench and the club also travelled knowing they had beaten their Sussex rivals in their last two meetings.

Ekoku's headed flick-on gave Ronnie Green an early sight of goal but Crawley skipper Ian Simpemba recovered well to put the striker off. Town soon established some controlled possession but took more than 20 minutes beforecalling Rebels keeper Mark Ormerod into action. Paul Armstrong's header had him scrambling across goal, then he smartly saved Charlie McDonald's header.

This only spurred the visitors and, with confidence growing, the Rebels took the lead. A neat one-two between Ekoku and Green sent Ekoku clear inside the box. As the striker looked to pull the trigger Simpemba's clumsy lunge left referee Simon Beck pointing to the spot with the baying Woodside fans demanding a straight red.

Beck sensibly produced the yellow and ex-Crawley favourite Stuart Holmes stepped calmly up to smash home the penalty.

Even better, on the stroke of half-time,Paul Rogers dispossessed defender Ryan Palmer in midfield and sent a superb slide rule pass, releasing Ekoku through on goal.

The pacy front man kept his cool to slot past onrushing keeper Phil Smith to give Crawley boss Francis Vines plenty to digest at the break.

Unsurprisingly, the second half started with Crawley looking to pile on the pressure. Worthing stood firm and the hosts struggled to break down their dogged resistance.

With time ticking on Vines shuffled his pack throwing French debutant Sacha Opinel forward and bringing on striker Danny David-son. This brought the desired effect with 17 minutes to go.

Mo Harkin's shot deflected off two defenders into the path of McDonald whose quick turn and finish brought the men from Crawley back into the game.

As Worthing rocked following their slice of misfortune, Crawley drew level just five minutes later.

Holmes' attempted clearance ricocheted straight into the path of McDonald who could not believe his second helping of luck as he raced clear to slot home the equaliser.

Rebels boss Alan Pook had already sent star forward Sam Francis on in an effort to seal the game and this was nearly rewarded when Francis cut inside and shot narrowly over.

With Worthing clinging on for a deserved replay Crawley struck the final blow to break Rebel hearts. Man-of-the-match Neil Jenkins found Opinel with a delightfully flighted cross, his headed cut-back caused panic in a tired Rebels defence and sub Davidson was on hand to slam the ball home from eight yards.

CRAWLEY: Smith; Judge, Simpemba, Palmer, Opinel; Harkin, Mapes, Armstrong, Jenkins; Marney, McDonald. Subs: Davidson (Marney 63), Plumley gk, Tait, El-abd, Keeghan.

WORTHING: Ormerod; Holmes, Pullan, Head, Dicker; Collins, Rodgers, Pulling, Knee; Ekoku, Green. Subs: Francis (Ekoku 70), Luthwyche (Green 87), Packham gk (HT), Lamont, Phillips.

Att: 1,343.