Conor Washington's early strike has put Peterborough United on course to beat Crawley Town in the first round of the League Cup.

Posh started brightly with Washington netting his fifth goal in six games from close range after latching onto Harry Anderson's pinpoint cross.

Shamir Fenelon then missed a chance to bring Crawley level when his shot was saved by United keeper Ben Alnwick.

However, the Sussex outfit nearly fell further behind just after the half-hour mark as Washington was denied his second of the evening by the intervention of Freddie Woodman.

Matt Harrold then had Crawley's best chance of the opening period as his close-range strike came back off the woodwork.

On the stroke of half time, Marcus Maddison nearly gave United full control, but his effort was saved low down by Woodman.