CREWE boss Steve Davis heaped praise on Brad Inman after the Australian forward came off the bench to give his side a vital 2-1 victory at Crawley.

Relegation-threatened Alex had gone in front when on-loan Watford striker Uche Ikpeazu fired home from close range in the 18th minute.

Crawley, now beaten in each of their last five games, improved after the break and substitute Jamie Proctor pulled them level with a tremendous 25-yard drive which flew into the top corner on 69 minutes.

But Inman, left out of the starting line-up, had the final say by steering the ball home 10 minutes from time following an excellent pass by Byron Moore. Davis felt Inman had responded to his dropping in the best possible style.

 

CREWE Alex finally won a game in their blue away strip as sub Brad Inman blasted them to three vital points at Crawley on Saturday.

They seemed to be heading for a draw after Jamie Proctor's superb second-half strike cancelled out Uche Ikpeazu's opener.

And as they had barely managed a point in the dreaded blue kit all campaign, hopes amongst supporters may not have been too high.

But the players believed and Inman came off the bench to blast the winner and breathe new life in the Railwaymen's battle against relegation from League One.

It was an important success, as wins for fellow strugglers Tranmere Rovers, Oldham Athletic, Shrewsbury Town and Carlisle United kept it excruciatingly tight at the foot of the table.

The Alex finished the day still in the bottom four on goal difference, but their second win in nine games will have boosted confidence going into the final five games of the season.

Boss John Gregory admits Crawley’s gruelling schedule is beginning to catch up with them after they slipped to a fifth consecutive defeat at home to Crewe Alexandra.

Reds produced a dismal first half performance as they went in 1-0 down at the break thanks to Uche Ikpeazu’s 18th minute strike.

Gregory’s side improved after the introduction of Jamie Proctor and Jeffrey Monakana in the second half and got back on level terms through a sensational goal from Proctor in the 68th minute.

But substitute Brad Inman grabbed a winner on the counter-attack ten minutes from time to leave Reds in 17th place in League One, just three points above the drop zone.

It was Crawley’s 13th game in the last 42 days and Gregory felt the schedule has had an big affect on their performance levels.

Gregory said: “It is game, after game, after game. We have tried to mix it up a bit in terms of selection but the amount of games is starting to tell on one or two.

“They are not as fresh and they have not got that impetus they had against Wolves three weeks ago. Since that Wolves game we have not won.