What the press made of the weekend’s defeat
The Chronicle
Crewe Alex's six-match unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt at Chesterfield on Saturday.
The Alex went down 3-1 when the Spireites scored through Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Lee Novak and Connor Dimaio took the points in the relegation encounter.
A first goal since 2013 for Zoumana Bakayogo gave the visitors hope at one stage, but the result - combined with others around the country - is a damaging one and the Alex have dropped a place in League One.
The Railwaymen made an abysmal start to the game, falling two goals down inside 12 minutes. Panicky play gave Chesterfield the chance to earn a couple of corners and Ebanks-Blake scuffed a volley home for the opener.
Novak doubled the lead with a tap-in and it looked like a rout for the hosts.
But Crewe responded well with a spell of good pressure and got one back from Bakayogo – his first for the club. They were unable to make further inroads in the first half but they were still in the contest.
Dimaio was afforded far too much space to reestablish their two-goal cushion, and although Crewe created a number of decent openings they were unable to exert any pressure on the hosts by getting another back.
The Sentinel
CREWE Alexandra's unbeaten came to an abrupt end at fellow strugglers Chesterfield after being beaten 3-1 at the Proact Stadium.
They were once again 2-0 behind early, but this proved a comeback too far for Steve Davis' side, despite Zoumana Bakayogo scoring his first goal in Crewe colours.
Sylvain Ebanks-Blake and Lee Novak had put the hosts 2-0 up inside the opening 13 minutes, the only two shots on target they managed in the opening period, with Crewe offered a way back in to it through Bakayogo's 27th minute strike.
Both goals were certainly avoidable from an Alex point of view, as was Chesterfield's third, scored 12 minutes in to the second half, as Connor Dimaio was allowed too much room to first play a one-two with Ebanks-Blake before applying the finish.
Crewe pushed for a way back in to it, with Marcus Haber denied by a terrific Tommy Lee save, as was Ollie Turton, but with results elsewhere going against them, it was certainly a blow for their survival hopes as they are now five points from safety.
The Sheffield Star
Two goals in the opening 12 minutes laid the foundations for Spireites’ first win in six.
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake volleyed in off the post from Connor Dimaio’s delivery following a short corner routine and that was soon followed by Lee Novak scoring his 12th of the season from close range following sound work by Gboly Ariyibi down the right.
Bottom four side Alex, who battled well throughout, pulled a goal back when left side midfielder Zoumana Bakayogo was well positioned to convert after a shot and then a cross from the lively Brad Inman were both repelled.
Danny Wilson’s men restored a two-goal advantage in the second half when ex-Blade Dimaio played a neat one-two on the box-edge with Ebanks-Blake before slotting home his first ever senior goal. In doing so became the first ever Chesterfield-born player to score for the hosts at the Proact Stadium, though another former Bramall Lane man, Kevan Hurst, was the first home town boy to score there, albeit for Southend United.
Crewe created plenty of chances in the final half hour but Spireites’ defence held firm and when the back-line was breached, Tommy Lee was there to maintain the gap.