Crawley boss Steve Evans expects another tough test of his side’s promotion credentials against Gillingham on Boxing Day.

However, Andy Hessenthaler’s Gills have promotion aspirations of their own, currently lying in seventh after a thumping 4-1 win over Bristol Rovers at the weekend.

Despite leading League Two going into the Christmas period, Evans believes Gills will be a tough test for his side who are unbeaten in their last fifteen games:

“I have a lot of respect for Andy Hessenthaler and the quality players he has at his disposal,” Evans told the club’s official website.

“It’s no secret we tried to sign a few of them and they have good qualities so the match has all the ingredients to be a cracker.

“Gillingham will arrive full of confidence after smashing Bristol Rovers on Saturday but we will be fully prepared for another tough afternoon.”

Crawley tried to sign Gills striker Danny Kedwell back in January from AFC Wimbledon along with a summer bid for Adam Birchall with the former Dover man electing to move to Priestfield instead.

Should The Gills win in Sussex, they will move within eight points of Evans’ side with a trip to Dagenham & Redbridge to follow on Friday 30th December.