The Grecians hit the woodwork four times, the first coming after just three minutes when Gareth Sheldon curled a superb effort onto the inside of a post.
Sheldon went close again in the 14th minute with a 30-yard drive which clipped the frame of the goal as it flashed just wide.
The impressive Sheldon finally made the breakthrough with the decisive strike a minute before half time when he blasted through a crowded goalmouth and into the top corner after Christopher Todd headed down a free-kick by Alexandre Jeannin.
Steve Flack went close to doubling City's advantage just after the break with an angled volley which hit the foot of the post. Marcus Martin then struck the other upright soon after with a snap-shot which left Reds keeper Andy Little well beaten.
Martin was then sent off in the 75 minute after receiving his second yellow card for foolishly kicking the ball away after a free-kick has been awarded.
Crawley squandered their best chance of the game a minute later when Allan Tait somehow fired over from 12 yards after being left unmarked and in yards of space from Simon Wormull's square ball.
Sheldon went close again in the 14th minute with a 30-yard drive which clipped the frame of the goal as it flashed just wide.
The impressive Sheldon finally made the breakthrough with the decisive strike a minute before half time when he blasted through a crowded goalmouth and into the top corner after Christopher Todd headed down a free-kick by Alexandre Jeannin.
Steve Flack went close to doubling City's advantage just after the break with an angled volley which hit the foot of the post. Marcus Martin then struck the other upright soon after with a snap-shot which left Reds keeper Andy Little well beaten.
Martin was then sent off in the 75 minute after receiving his second yellow card for foolishly kicking the ball away after a free-kick has been awarded.
Crawley squandered their best chance of the game a minute later when Allan Tait somehow fired over from 12 yards after being left unmarked and in yards of space from Simon Wormull's square ball.