• O’Riordan double clinches win
• Captain Offord also on mark
• Railwaymen up to fourth

Connor O’Riordan bagged a brilliant brace as Crewe Alexandra clinched all three points at the death against Doncaster Rovers.

The big defender drilled home on the stroke of half-time to put his side ahead, and then stretched a long leg in injury time to net the winner.

Earlier, skipper Luke Offord cancelled out Mo Faal’s opening goal with his second of the season.

And Joe Ironside had made it 2-2 to set up a tense finale.

It was Crewe who again showed the character and belief that has been a feature all season and O’Riordan grabbed the winner to send fans into raptures at Mornflake Stadium.

The Railwaymen have jumped a place to fourth in League Two, and they will not prepare for Tuesday’s long trip to Sutton United.

Lee Bell made three changes to the side that won in the FA Cup at Derby County. O’Riordan, back from international duty, Shilow Tracey and Connor Thomas were recalled to the 11, while Charlie Finney, Lewis Billington and Charlie Colkett dropped to the bench.

Doncaster, who started in a 3-5-2 system, broke the deadlock through Faal on 16 minutes.

The Alex had looked the more dangerous side and Rio Adebisi had twice threatened, but when a Crewe move broke down the visitors moved the ball sharply from left to right where Faal was waiting to finish.

Aaron Rowe forced a smart save from keeper Louis James and Luke Offord’s lob was held by the keeper as the hosts looked to hit back.

Luke Molyneux’s low strike was held by keeper Harvey Davies, but Crewe were level on the half-hour mark.

A slick move was completed with Aaron Rowe’s deft touch which set Offord racing in on goal and the skipper drilled low and hard to beat Jones.

O’Riordan was inches wide after meeting Joe White’s free-kick with his head, but he would not be denied before the break.

Mickey Demetriou’s long throw caused chaos and when the ball dropped the big defender reacted quickest to thump in from close range.

Electric wing play from Tracey teed up a chance for Thomas just before the whistle but Jones was equal to the midfielder’s shot.

Doncaster won six corners in the first 10 minutes of the second half and the pressure paid on 57 minutes.

James Maxwell found space on the left to deliver a cross and Ironside flicked a header which looped over Davies and into the net.

The game became scrapped and short of quality for a while, as Doncaster’s energy kept them on the front foot.

But the hosts grew in strength and on 78 minutes great work from Tracey set up Courtney Baker-Richardson but the striker’s effort was blocked eight yards out.

Demetriou’s lob dropped onto the roof of the net after a dead ball, while Donny sub Tommy Rowe screamed one just over at the other end.

The final word was left to O’Riordan who got the decisive touch in injury time. A composed and patient move created space on the left for Adebisi and his super low cross was poked home by the Number 5.

Crewe (3-4-3): Davies; O’Riordan, Offord, Demetriou; Cooney, Thomas, White, Adebisi; Rowe (Nevitt, 62), Baker-Richardson (Finney, 92), Tracey.

Subs not used: Booth, Colkett, Billington, Kempster-Down, Agius.

Booked: Thomas.

Doncaster (3-5-2): Jones; Bailey, Anderson, Senior; Nixon, Close, Westbooke (Rowe, 82), Molyneux (Biggins, 90), Maxwell (Broadbent, 82); Ironside, Faal.

Subs not used: Lawlor, Wood, Hurst, Goodman.

Booked: Maxwell, Anderson,

Referee: M Coy.

Attendance: 4,263 (484).