Harrold shocked and disappointed at Yates' departure

Matt Harrold scores for Crawley against Luton in the FA Cup (Pic by Joe Rigby) SUS-150911-161707008

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Crawley Town striker Matt Harrold admitted he was shocked to hear Monday afternoon's news of Mark Yates' departure.

The Reds topscorer has prospered under this season’s management, having been unhappy last season under John Gregory during a season sat mostly on the sidelines either injured or not selected while Izale McLeod was banging in the goals often as a lone striker.

He said: “It was a very a very big surprise, like a bolt out of the blue.

“Everyone’s a bit shocked and gutted we’ve lost the last six games.

“Our status status in League 2 is secure. With the constraints we’ve had, that counts as a success this season.

“I’m disappointed really - Mark’s a good manager and I have enjoyed playing for him.

“He’s probably done what the aim was, to stay in this division.”

Harrold thinks Yates was unlucky to come up against a succession of strong sides.

“It was a bad run at the wrong time; we played against some good teams.