It took them until the 81st minute to take the lead, but Crewe took all three points against Accrington on Tuesday night thanks to goals from substitute Max Clayton and Luke Murphy.
The first half was an edgy affair with both sides struggling to find any fluidity in midfield. Lee Bell, back from a double hernia operation just a month previous, struggled throughout whilst Ashley Westwood, Luke Murphy and Nick Powell were in and out of the game.
Crewe saw plenty of possession without really troubling Stanley keeper Ian Dunbavin. At the other end, the visitors’ Jamie Devitt was causing Carl Martin some problems and a long-range effort forced a decent save out of Alex stopper Steve Phillips.
The game appeared to be heading for a goalless draw until the 65th minute when 17-year old Max Clayton replaced Shaun Miller; still struggling to find form having not scored since September. Clayton was a constant threat, stretching the Stanley defence on a number of occasions.
Yet it took until the 81st minute for Clayton’s presence to really be felt. An Ashley Westwood corner from the left-hand side was half flicked on by Greg Pearson. The ball headed towards Clayton and it took him no time at all to half-volley home left-footed on the spin.
As Accrington attempted to equalise, the home side hit them on the break, Nick Powell making a surging run past two players before crossing for Luke Murphy to side-foot home from 12 yards.
The game was wrapped up and Crewe stayed within touching distance of the playoffs, moving up to tenth place, still five points off 7th place Oxford.
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