Joel Grant's first goal of the season just five minutes from time gave Crewe their second home win of the campaign and moved us to 5th in the table. A spirited Macclesfield Town side battled to the death but were finally undone with John Brayford playing a defence splitting pass to play Grant in behind and the young Jamaican kept his composure to drill his shot past Jose Veiga.
Crewe just about shaded it over the 90 minutes in relation to chances created but had to work awfully hard for the three points this afternoon. Calvin Zola gave the home side an early lead with his 6th goal of the season via a Billy Jones free-kick, but that goal was cancelled out by Ricky Sappleton who punished an onrushing David Button just after the half an hour mark.
Gudjon Thordarson made three changes to the side that lost 4-1 to Stockport County in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on Tuesday evening. As expected, David Button returned to the starting line-up ahead of Adam Legzdins, who was replaced in the squad by Steve Collis.
Crewe's other deadline day signing Simon Walton was also handed his full-debut ahead of fellow on-loan midfielder Aman Verma.
Anthony Elding, who came on at the half-time interval against his former club on Tuesday night was recalled to the starting X1 as Crewe reverted to a more standard 4-4-2 formation. Mat Mitchel-King was ruled out with a lower back injury, and of course Clayton Donaldson has been sidelined for at least 6 weeks with a fractured fibula.
The fit-again Luke Murphy and Ashley Westwood were back in the squad. On the Macclesfield side were former players Lee Bell and Colin 'Junior' Daniel.
Crewe were out of the blocks the quicker and dominated most of the opening 20 minutes. Bryon Moore, sporting a new crewcut, delivered a dangerous early cross that only needed a touch in the opening minute. A few minutes later, Walton's cross was headed over the bar by Macclesfield's imposing midfielder Hamza Bencheriff.
The opening goal for the home side arrived on just 11 minutes and it was simplicity personified after John Brayford had won a free-kick close to the corner flag. Captain Billy Jones found the towering Calvin Zola inside a crowded penalty area and his downward header was too powerful for the Macclesfield keeper Jose Veiga. It was Zola's sixth goal from his impressive start to the season and his tally has already bettered last season's of just five in all competitions.
After the opening 20 minutes and Crewe looking a threat, the visitors then came more into the game with our former winger Daniel a threat down the left. His pace troubled both Brayford and Ada on occasions and if his final ball or shooting had been more productive, Crewe could have found themselves in trouble.
Daniel shot over the top after losing his balance at the far post and Bell dragged a shot from 25 yards well wide of the mark after a promising build-up from our Cheshire rivals.
Macclesfield's robust forward Ricky Sappleton was a constant handful. A forceful run may on another day resulted in a penalty after his low cross appeared to be blocked by the hand of Harry Worley on 28 minutes.
Three minutes later, a rush of blood from goalkeeper Button gifted Macclesfield and Sappleton an equaliser. He took a chance on a long punt up front and after Button had rushed from his goal to oppose the striker, he rolled it past the helpless Alex keeper and into the empty net. Button had been called into two minds and arguably made the wrong decision in trying to deal with the situation himself away from the relative safety of his box.
Daniel whistled one just over Button's crossbar and the Alex keeper was called into action again to saved one handed from Ross Draper.
After Macclesfield had imposed themselves more in the second half of the first half, it was the Alex who created the better of the chances in the closing stages. A sublime piece of skill from Joel Grant, saw him turn sharply, show off some excellent footwork before seeing his powerful shot tipped over superbly from the agile Veiga. But for a wonderful save, it would have been a fine individual goal from the Crewe wide man.
There was still enough time on the clock for Moore to hook another shot goalwards after Zola had cleverly nodded a Walton cross back into his path. A 1-1 draw at the interval was a fair reflection on how the first half had developed.
The openness of the game continued in the second half with both clubs virtually taking turns to attack. Button was called into action early to save from Sappleton before Daniel shot just wide of the target as Macclesfield tried to take the lead for the first time.
Zola must have thought he had regained the lead for Crewe on 54 minutes after he had collected a pass from Joel Grant inside the box but somehow he screwed his shot a yard wide. The shot must had taken a deflection but the referee bizarrely awarded a goal kick. It was a chance to say the least.
At the other end, Matthew Tipton poked an effort just past the post before a flurry of bookings saw Bencherif and Draper booked for Macclesfield and Ada for Crewe.
Just after the hour mark, the lively Grant ran from his own half before shooting just wide of the left hand post. That was followed up by a shot from Schumacher, who certainly put himself about this afternoon up against the competitive Bell.
Grant was becoming more influential and he shot into the side netting after some good approach play down the left flank from Worley and Elding.
Then with just 20 minutes left, a superbly struck free-kick from Billy Jones looked to have given Crewe the lead. The Alex captain was rather unfortunate to see his curling effort hit the underside of the crossbar and bounce away. Was it over the line? The assistant referee didn't think so.
Macclesfield introduced Emile Sinclair for Tipton and Crewe changes saw Verma and Miller on for the former Leeds pair of Elding and Walton. Soon after coming on, Sinclair had a great chance after breaking the offside trap but he shot rather tamely at Button. His second effort soon after on the turn forced a decent save from the Alex keeper.
The game was evenly poised with either side capable of winning it in the closing stages. Miller was lively and had a couple of efforts on goal. Macclesfield's last chance to win it saw Sappleton head a Lee Bell free-kick straight at Button.
The winning goal five minutes from time, was created by right-back Brayford, after he picked out the movement of Grant superbly. The winger raced clear to drill home a priceless winner for the Railwaymen. A spirited Macclesfield were understandably crushed.
