Crawley sack Colin Kazim-Richards after late Shrewsbury defeat

Crawley Town have sacked head coach Colin Kazim-Richards following a 3-2 home defeat by Shrewsbury Town that left them five points adrift at the bottom of League Two. BBC Sport reported that assistant Julian Gray had also been dismissed and director of football Erdem Konyar would leave, bringing changes to both the coaching staff and football leadership.

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Tuesday's loss was Crawley's seventh in 10 league matches this season. They have won once and drawn twice, leaving them on five points in 24th place. The league table published alongside the BBC match report put Northampton Town immediately above them on 10 points, with Crawley having scored 11 goals and conceded 20 during their opening 10 fixtures.

The defeat at Broadfield Stadium came despite an early lead. According to the Press Association match report carried by the BBC, Ade Adeyemo headed in Stephen Duke-McKenna's cross in the fourth minute. Crawley also created an early opportunity for Osman Kamara, whose effort was saved by Will Brook, and the hosts reached half-time still leading 1-0.

Shrewsbury drew level in the 62nd minute when George Lloyd supplied Josh Davison, who beat goalkeeper Vito Mannone. Lloyd then scored from close range in the 82nd minute to move the visitors ahead. Dylan Morgan responded three minutes later with a shot from 25 yards, restoring parity and putting Crawley back in position to take a point from the match.

Davison nevertheless struck again in stoppage time, finishing after Mannone had saved a shot from Thomas Sang. The late goal secured Shrewsbury's 3-2 win and left Crawley without a reward for either their first-half advantage or Morgan's equaliser. Shrewsbury stood eighth with 17 points after the result, while Crawley's difficult start continued with another league defeat.

In a club statement quoted by BBC Sport, Crawley thanked Kazim-Richards and Gray for helping preserve their EFL status at the end of last season after arriving during a difficult period. The club also acknowledged Konyar's work since his return last year and wished all three well. Crawley was Kazim-Richards' first managerial role following an 18-year playing career that included representing Turkey.