After enjoying a recent spell of encouraging results, Crewe Alexandra crashed to a 2-0 home defeat to Port Vale thanks to second half goals from Paul Harsley via the penalty spot and our former striker Luke Rodgers. Overall, the Valiants thoroughly deserved the three points on the night and everyone at Crewe is no illusion that if we do not start to pick up some wins and quickly then we could be joining our near neighbours in League Two.
Crewe's best chance on the night saw a Tom Pope header clip the top of the Port Vale cross bar in the first half and new loan signing Dean Morgan drive a couple of efforts over the top of Joe Anyon's bar.
First tem coach Steve Holland made three changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest on Saturday. George Abbey returned to the starting line-up for Danny Woodards. Steven Schumacher also earned a recall in the centre of the Alex midfield after being a late withdrawal from the side that fought gallantly against Colin Calderwood's side. Schumacher had been struggling with a burst blister under the skin but the injury had healed enough for him to be considered for this evening's derby clash.
The club's new loan signing Dean Morgan was named upfront following his cameo performance as a late substitute against Nottingham Forest. Morgan was given a more central role up alongside Tom Pope with the fit-again Nicky Maynard having to settle for a place on the bench. Bryon Moore and the recalled Gary Roberts were also named on a strong looking substitutes bench.
The Vale boss Lee Sinnott also named our former striker Luke Rodgers in his starting eleven after he overcame a recent illness. Our former loanee striker Marc Richards also started for the visitors.
With the wind in their favour, Port Vale certainly used the elements to their advantage and were appeared to shoot on sight. Chris Herd forced a fine early save from Ben Williams before Robin Hulbert shot comfortably at the Crewe number one. The swirling wind was making it extremely difficult for Crewe to get it down and make inroads into the Vale half.
On 13 minutes, Richards and Rodgers combined well and the covering Patrick Boyle was booked for a trip on our former player. Nothing materialised from the free-kick as Harlsey drilled straight into the Alex wall.
With Crewe finding it hard to cope with the wind, it was Vale who were having pop shots at our goal at any given opportunity. Herd again forced Williams into a decent save before Richards shot tamely from the edge of the penalty area, after some fine approach play from Rodgers.
Crewe's best moment of the first half duly arrived in the 23rd minute when Morgan conjured up a good chance for Tom Pope. The avid Vale fan rose highest to head against the top of the Port Vale crossbar.
The match became a bit stop-start with needless free-kicks and offside decisions disrupting the flow of the encounter. Vale certainly used the conditions more in their favour. The end of the first half burst into life with Dean Morgan using his physical presence to get two shots off at Anyon's goal.
Following a disappointing first half display, Crewe certainly upped the tempo early on in the second period. Nicky Maynard was introduced for Joe Anyinsah and Crewe began to impose themselves more on the play.
Tom Pope saw a superb 30-yard shot tipped over by the agile Anyon before the same player lifted a good chance over the crossbar. It was a decent opportunity wasted and just five minutes later, the match turned in the Valiants favour.
After the Vale striker Richards had ghosted in behind our back four, Michael O'Connor tripped the former Barnsley man as he was about to shoot and referee Mike Dean did not hesitate in awarding the spot-kick. The Vale skipper Paul Harsley confidently stepped up to bury it into the bottom corner of Ben Williams' net. Port Vale were ahead in the local derby and now we had to find a response.
After the disappointment of conceding the opening goal, Crewe lost their way for a few minutes. O'Donnell had to cut out a promising run from David Howland before passions ran high when Michael O'Connor clashed with Richards. Both players were understandably booked for the spat.
Just after the hour mark, Pope went close to heading home an equaliser after he met a Kenny Lunt free-kick first. It must have taken the slightest of deflections because the referee awarded a corner. It was similar scenario from O'Donnell soon after but he couldn't quite get his downward header on target.
Port Vale were always prepared to shoot on sight, but seemed to have left their shooting boots at home. Harlsey and Whittaker were both guilty of firing shots out of the Stadium.
With time running out, Steve Holland introduced the fresher legs of Roberts and Moore for Morgan and Schumacher. Crewe were pressing for an equaliser when they were caught out by a long ball and Rodgers muscled his way past O'Donnell and bundled it past Williams. As you can expect our former player was absolutely delighted and it just rubbed salt into our wounds.
2-0 down with just under ten minutes left, Crewe faced an uphill task but in fairness there was still enough in the game for Crewe to have actually forced a draw. Pope wasted two good chances from close range and even Maynard lifted a late chance over the bar with just the goalkeeper to beat. It seemed nothing was going to go our way this evening.
Saying that though Vale passed the ball better than we did, in what was awful conditions for both sides. The defeat leaves Crewe in 20th spot and just one point above the drop zone.
