Ade Adeyemo struck a late winner as Crawley snatched a 1-0 victory at Cambridge to maintain their perfect start to the season.

The substitute had missed a huge chance 12 minutes from time, blazing over from close range, but did convert a more difficult opportunity when rounding goalkeeper Vicente Reyes and firing in from a wide angle four minutes from the end.

The hosts were made to regret their wastefulness in a dominant first half.

Shayne Lavery was denied by Jojo Wollacott, with Sullay Kaikai’s rebound cleared off the line by Josh Flint. James Gibbons sent a looping header wide before James Brophy could only fire at Wollacott after his clearance had been charged down by Lavery.

Crawley looked the most likely scorers in the final half an hour, with Jay Williams only shooting weakly at Reyes, who was on hand to deny Ronan Darcy after he was teed up by substitute Panutche Camara.

Adeyemo was another part of Scott Lindsey’s triple change after 63 minutes, and he provided the decisive moment to win it for the visitors.