The Alex took the lead in the first half, striker Johnny Higham stabbing in a poachers' effort, Owen Dale feeding Charlie Kirk down the left flank for the wing-wizard to fizz across goal for the tap in.

A defensive mix-up gifted The Trotters a leveler before half-time, goalkeeper Hilton and Tom Lowery getting caught in possession, leaving the Bolton man with the task of slotting home.

The home side took the lead for the first time in the second half after a pull-back from the by-line and the forward fired in a neat angled finish on the turn from ten-yards.

Crewe tried to fight back but the hosts held on to record the victory.

Crewe: Hilton, Morgan, Neal, Quinn, Dowsett, Finney, Lowery, Kirk, Riley, Dale, Higham