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Struggling Crewe Alexandra put a dent into Town's play-off charge with a 3-1 win at Gresty Road on a sun shining Saturday afternoon. After taking through midfielder James Berrett, Crewe equalized minutes later through Bryon Moore and then in the second half a quick fire double from Tom Pope and Clayton Donaldson had the game sown up for Railway men.

After beating local rivals Leeds United 1-0 at the Galpharm Stadium, manager Lee Clark made changes to the squad. Anthony Pilkington was out of the 16, Berrett came into a 5 man midfield with Everton loanee Lukas Jutkiewicz the only striker.

Town had threatened early, Crewe's beanpole defender Dennis Lawrence blocking Jutkiewicz effort at goal, the home side were next to have a chance, Moore with a pinpoint pass finding Donaldson who couldn't take advantage and fired a shot wide when under pressure.

Crewe should have been in front after a goalmouth scramble that Town got away with, Pope hit the post, midfielder Michael O'Conner had a goal-bound effort blocked for then Moore to blast the ball way over the bar to much relief of the Town faithful.
Alex's on loan goalkeeper John Ruddy denied his Everton team mate Jutkiewicz with his legs after good work by the Town striker and at the other end Pope once again crashed another shot on the woodwork.

It was an open game, but Crewe looked the likeliest to score with their three quick strikers Pope, Moore and Donaldson always looked threatening but Pope was the one who was really giving the down defenders a headache.
Crewe had a game plan which seemed to get men behind the ball and frustrate Town's passing method and to hit Town on the break. It was a game both sides needed to win.

Ruddy was almost caught out by Town winger Lionel Ainsworth who flashed a shot across goal and then Town took the lead thanks to James Berrett.
Jutkiewicz cut in from the right wing, turned Alex defender Marlon Broomes inside out before laying the ball into the path of Berrett who smashed the ball into the net from around 12 yards.

But Town's lead lasted all of two minutes, the Town defence fell asleep Moore took the ball from a Pope knockdown and lashed a superb 20 yard shot past Town keeper Alex Smithies.
Pope went lose himself when he flashed a shot just past the post that would have beaten keeper Smithies.

It could have been so different for Town when on the stroke of half-time, Ainsworth turned his defender and put in a cross which was met by a super header from Gary Roberts but somehow Ruddy managed to save it.

Michael Collins had a shot tipped away by Ruddy just after the break but it was Crewe who killed the game off with a quick-fire double.
In the 59th minute Pope robbed Andy Butler who decided to hold up the ball in his own corner and probably had his worst game in a Town shirt, Pope ran into the box and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner giving Smithies no chance.

Two minutes later Donaldson sealed the victory for the struggling Crewe with an overhead kick from a Tom Pope flick-on.
Donaldson should have made it 4-1 minutes after his overhead kick, breaking free for one-on-one with Smithies but the young Town goalkeeper stood his ground and then tipped away the rebound as the striker followed up. A great double save by the youngster.

Town huffed and puffed but by then it was signed and sealed for the Alex who needed the win in their fight for survival. Town needed the win to push on towards the play-offs but Crewe have put a dent in the race. Town are only 5 points from the play-offs but they must bounce back next Saturday at Edgeley Park against a decent Stockport County side and then two home games on the trot at the Galpharm Stadium.

Sean's Star Man - Lukas Jutkiewicz Couldn't this who else to give it to because no one really had a good game, It was either the young striker or Jim Goodwin but I plummed for Jutkiewicz after some hard work and decent shots at goal.

Teams:

Town: Smithies, Holdsworth, Butler, T Clarke, Williams, Ainsworth (Craney 57), Collins, Goodwin, Berrett (Andy Booth 65), Jutkiewicz (Jevons 73).
Subs not used: Glennon, T Clarke.

Crewe: Ruddy, Brayford, Baudet, Lawrence, Broomes, Jones, Moore, O'Connor, Woodards, Donaldson, Pope.
Subs: Collis, Schumacher, Zola, Abbey, Miller.