Boss John Gregory will continue to steer clear of the dugout while Crawley’s unbeaten run continues.

The Reds manager has watched the last three games from the stands having admitted his presence on the touchline was sometimes having a negative effect on his players.

Crawley ended up losing the first game without Gregory in the technical area as Gillingham came from behind to win their JP Trophy tie at the Checkatrade.com Stadium after Joe Martin had been sent off.

Reds ground out a 1-1 draw at in-form Oldham Athletic with Gregory sat in the stand at Boundary Park and then produced a dramatic late comeback to draw 2-2 at home with Scunthorpe United last weekend.

Gregory said: “I stayed upstairs for the first 45 minutes against Gillingham and it was good for me not to be getting too involved in the way the game went.

“It was nice to sit back and allow the players to play without trying to verbally help them. Sometimes it can be a hindrance when you have the manager there shouting at you, I know that from experience.”

Head coach Paul Groves has been the one issuing the orders from the technical areas in the last three games and will be prowling the touchline again for the visit of Chesterfield tomorrow.

Groves wears an earpiece which allows him to communicate with Gregory throughout the game and transfer the manager’s ideas to the players when necessary.

Groves said: “We are in constant contact throughout the game but sometimes you get a different viewpoint from detaching yourself by being in the stand.

“You are able to see the overall picture and not get engrossed in the game so much which helps you to be a bit more calculated in your decisions.

“John has taken the decision to go up there and have a look at things slightly differently so hopefully we can keep this unbeaten run going.”