ROB'S READY TO SLAY GIANTS

ROOKIE boss Rob Elliot is convinced he and his young Crawley Town troops can overcome their David v Goliath battle to stay in League One.

-  John Lyons

The 38-year-old former Charlton and Newcastle keeper left National League side Gateshead to take his first EFL managerial job with the Red Devils at the beginning of last month.

It came following the departure to MK Dons of Scott Lindsey, the manager who masterminded Crawley’s against-the-odds promotion from League Two via the play-offs last term.

With the West Sussex club 20th upon his appointment and shorn of a host of key men from last season’s success, it was never going to be an easy challenge, especially in a third tier with plenty of big-hitters to contend with.

While Crawley headed into yesterday’s game at Bristol Rovers in the relegation zone, there have been promising signs under ex-Republic of Ireland shot-stopper Elliot, including a 3-0 win against Lincoln last month and a 2-2 draw against Huddersfield last weekend, both on home turf.

Confident