Crawley approach at Hull delights boss Steve Evans
- Published
Evans's Crawley side reached the fifth round for the second season running
Crawley boss Steve Evans believes his side's FA Cup fourth-round win over Hull City, external was a reward for the League Two team's bold approach to the game.
"We were unlucky not to win by four or five," said Evans after beating a side 45 places higher in the league pyramid.
"We came here with three strikers and aiming to be very attack-minded. I think if we had got a second, it would have been embarrassing for Hull."
Even Hull boss Nick Barmby admitted Crawley were "too strong" for his team.
Barmby and Evans were involved in a second-half touchline spat when the Hull manager accused Crawley's backroom staff of "trying to get his players sent off", with Evans's assistant Paul Raynor sent to the stands
"I think he's grabbing at straws," said Evans. "He shouldn't say these things.
"Nick Barmby is an altar boy, is he? He's lost the game because we've come here and outplayed his team."
Crawley win at Hull is incredible - Evans
A 57th-minute goal from Matt Tubbs decided the game in Crawley's favour, with Sanchez Watt also hitting the woodwork.
"We were unlucky not to win by four or five," added Evans. "We came here with three strikers and aiming to be very attack-minded. I think if we had got a second, it would have been embarrassing for Hull."
Evans also shrugged off the resentment Crawley's rise from non-league has prompted among fans of other clubs.
"We've broken every record in non-league football and we went into the game sitting joint-top of League Two," added Evans. "Nothing changes - if we draw or lose a game it's scenes of jubilation around the country. We've just got to keep doing our job."
Barmby disappointed with cup exit
Barmby had made seven changes to his side that won at Reading last week and conceded that Hull had struggled in the game.
"You've got to get your head down in these games and realise you're in for a battle and we didn't do that," he said. "We had four shots on target, which is not like us at all.
"We're out of all the cup competitions now so there's no distractions for us now and we cannot have any excuses [about our league form]. Between now and the end of the season we'll be giving it [promotion] our best shot."