Crewe Alexandra ended up a barren spell of 12 games without a victory with an impressive performance against a high-flying Luton Town. Mike Newell's side were third in the table going into this afternoon's game, but Crewe scored three goals for the first time since an Easter trip to Millwall. On that occasion we ended up losing the game 4-3 at the New Den but today with Ben Williams in exceptional form we only conceded the one goal to Dean Morgan.
Billy Jones fired home an equaliser with a determined close range effort to square things before the interval. With the match heading for a draw, Dario Gradi introduced the pace of substitutes Luke Rodgers and Luke Varney and they helped turn the game in our favour. Rodgers created a splendid goal for captain Kenny Lunt before Varney slipped home his second goal of the season after Rodgers had again unsettled the Luton defence in the final minute of play.
Dario Gradi kept faith with the majority of the side that were so impressive at Ipswich during that first-half at Portman Road, but the fit-again Anthony Tonkin was recalled ahead of youngster Paul Bignot and David Vaughan was rested after his mid-week exploits for Wales. Mark Rivers came in on the left side.
The game ebbed and flowed in the first period with both side looking threatening in advanced positions. The first half chance of the afternoon fell to Eddie Johnson, but Markus Heikkinen managed to get across and block his shot in the 4th minute.
Five minutes later though Wayne Feeney nearly embarrassed Chris McCready after having possession pinched from his toes inside our penalty area. The former Leeds United forward forced the first of many great saves from our man-of-the-match to save the defender's blushes with the help of Darren Moss, who cleared off the line.
Luton who enjoyed the majority of possession in our half during the first half saw Williams deny a header from Peter Holmes, who climbed superbly in a crowded penalty area to reach a Ahmet Brkovic cross. Holmes could not have done any more and only a fine one-handed save from Williams prevented us from failing behind earlier than we did.
The Crewe Alexandra number one was also called upon to make fantastic saves from Feeney and Howard before Morgan gave the visitors the lead on 29 minutes. The Luton midfielder stole in at the far post to meet a deep cross from Brkovic, catching out Darren Moss and guiding home his shot past the helpless Williams. There was a suspicion that Morgan had controlled the initial pass with his arm but with the referee or his assistant not spotting it, he kept his composure to finish calmly.
That set back was a little harsh on Crewe Alexandra who had hit the Luton crossbar twice. Firstly, Stephen Foster was unfortunate to see his firm header (from a superb free-kick delivery from Lunt) thud the bar with Marlon Beresford beaten.
For then for Mark Rivers to hit the bar again from close range minutes later, you tended to wonder if it was going to be one those days for us. In fairness, we had a touch of luck after Steve Jones' through ball was deflected handily into Rivo's path but Crewe's leading scorer turned sharply and did everything right with his drive, only to see it strike the woodwork again.
Crewe continued to press forward in search of an equaliser and it deservedly arrived in the 36th minute. The industrious Gary Roberts was fouled in the centre of the park and his accurate delivery into the area fell invitingly to Billy Jones, who smacked home an equaliser from close range. His determination to score the goal was evident.
In fairness though, Luton probably shaded it chances wise and Crewe had to rely on the agility of Williams to keep the Hatters at bay. The former Manchester United trainee was in outstanding form, blocking a drilled shot from Morgan and then foiling Feeney after Howard had flicked possession into his path as the half drew to a thrilling close.
The second half was full of effort and endeavour and it really could have gone either way. Luton began the second instalment of entertainment with a couple of dangerous looking crosses from Carlos Edwards and then Brkovic. Only brave last ditch defending from Moss and Foster diverted the chances of a Luton player getting a decisive touch.
At the other end, Steve Jones nearly made Heikkinen pay for not getting enough on a backward header to his goalkeeper, but the Crewe striker could only fire into the side netting from a tight angle.
On the hour, it was Jonah's turn to be the provider but his wicked cross was just behind Mark Rivers as he tried to reach his returned pass. There were chances there for both sides and the next goal was always going to decide it. In all honestly, it looked as though the game was going to fade out into another home draw for the Railwaymen, which would have been more pleasing for Mike Newell' side.
Both managers never settled for a point apiece though and introduced fresh legs in attacking positions. Rodgers and Varney came on for the hard working Eddie Johnson and Mark Rivers and Luton introduced the towering Enoch Showunmi to their already physical forward line.
Thankfully, the introduction of Varney and Rodgers and a switch to a more attack-minded 4-3-3 paid off for the home side. Crewe pressed looking for that priceless winner and after youngsters Billy Jones and Gary Roberts had tried their luck from distance, we managed to get with just three minutes remaining on the clock.
Rodgers, who was again his busy, powerful self broke the offside trap to create a wonderful goal from Kenny Lunt. People can criticise him as much as they like because the captain always makes a difference to our side and today he shoved those criticisms down the throats of those supporters, who prefer to get on his back for any little thing rather than encourage him and the lads for 90 minutes. The captain produced a real captain's goal.
With just three minutes to go, he was picked out superbly by the patient Rodgers to direct a fantastic diving header past Beresford and into the top corner for his first of the season. That looked to be winning goal but Varney would have the last contribution.
In the final minute, Varney reacted quickest to a loose ball and faced with just Beresford to beat he slotted beyond the Luton keeper to give us our first victory since the opening day of the season against Burnley. That was nearly produced the biggest cheer of the afternoon but that went to the appearance of the fans favourite Justin Cochrane, who replaced Steve Jones in injury time. The ovation he received will give him great confidence as he tries to force his way into the first-team.
Crewe: Williams, Moss, Foster, McCready, Tonkin, Lunt, Billy Jones, Gary Roberts, Johnson (Varney 69), Steve Jones (Cochrane 90), Rivers (Rodgers 74).
Subs Not Used: Tomlinson, Walker.
Booked: Moss.
Goals: Billy Jones 37, Lunt 88, Varney 90.
Luton: Beresford, Edwards, Heikkinen, Coyne, Davis, Brkovic, Holmes, Nicholls, Morgan (Foley 65), Howard, Feeney (Showunmi 69).
Subs Not Used: Brill, Perrett, Vine.
Booked: Coyne.
Goals: Morgan 29.
Att: 6,604.
Ref: T Bates (Staffordshire).
