Lindsey 'always felt' Crawley could get promoted

Scott Lindsey led Crawley Town to a 2-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra in the League Two play-off final at Wembley

Crawley boss Scott Lindsey said he always felt his side could win promotion to League One despite them being tipped for relegation at the start of the season.

Goals from Danilo Orsi and Liam Kelly delivered a dominant 2-0 victory against a lacklustre Crewe in Sunday's League Two play-off final at Wembley.

The Sussex side return to the third tier of English football for the first time since 2015.

Lindsey said his team, who many believed could be relegated from the English Football League this season after finishing 22nd last term, would again be underdogs when the new campaign gets under way.

"I always felt we could get promoted. I back myself first and foremost as a coach," said Lindsey.

"I always felt we could do something special – the hardest thing was convincing the people around me, including the players.

"Why can’t we compete [in League One]? We were backed to go down this season and we’ll probably be backed to go down again next season."

Crawley took the lead in the 41st minute against Crewe through Orsi's 25th goal of a stellar debut season at the club and never looked back from that moment.

Kelly, who joined the Reds from Rochdale last summer, was superb in the middle of the park and thoroughly deserved his late goal.

"That was some effort, I’m really proud to lead this magnificent football club out at Wembley," added Lindsey.

"The players were class; they have been all season. They perform like that most weeks. We haven’t always got it right but they got it right today."

'It's been a stretch for my players' - Crewe boss Bell

Lee Bell, left, said his team "struggled to get going" against Crawley

Crewe were awarded a penalty early in the second half for Crawley goalkeeper Corey Addai's challenge on Christopher Long when he was clean through on goal.

A VAR check showed Addai got the ball and the decision was overturned, with both managers saying they did not think it was a foul to begin with.

VAR is in use for all the EFL play-off finals and its use in the Premier League next season will be voted on by the member clubs at the league's AGM this summer.

Crewe manager Lee Bell said his team "struggled to get going and create anything".

"We're not going to come here and flip a switch against Crawley, a possession-based team," Bell said.

"It's been a stretch for my players. I'm ever so proud of where they've got to and I'm bitterly disappointed for them as individuals – my staff, I couldn't ask for better people.

"Congratulations to them, I thought they were worthy winners."

He added the club's primary concern would now be to keep the squad together ahead of another season in League Two.