Crewe Alexandra recorded a 2-1 victory at Vauxhall Motors in their fourth friendly of the summer.

Connor Evans grabbed the winner at Rivacre Park, after an Alex opener had been cancelled out by a controversial penalty for the hosts.

The win extended The Railwaymen’s unbeaten start to their warm-up programme, with the visit of Lincoln City the next test this weekend (Saturday, 3pm).

The Reds started with a youthful side, but skipper Luke Offord was back at the heart of defence after recovering from an ankle knock. Zac Williams was alongside him after an equally-short spell on the sidelines.

The Alex bossed the opening stages without really threatening the home side’s goal. Motors went close shortly after the half-hour mark, but Crewe broke the deadlock on 34 minutes.

Max Woodcock rose well to win a header in the box and a substantial deflection took the ball home via the post. The homegrown striker may well claim it as his third of the summer!

Keeper Tom Booth made a smart save to deny Tom Mitchell to preserve the Alex’s slim advantage heading into the break.

Not long after the restart, Motors were awarded a spot-kick after Lewis Billington was very harshly adjudged to have fouled his man in the box. Lewis Buckley made no mistake from 12 yards.

Woodcock forced a decent save from the home keeper before Crewe reestablished their lead on 74 minutes. Regan Griffiths clipped a delightful ball over the top and Evans raced through before smashing home.

Evans could have made it safe before the end but blazed over from a good position. However, the Alex saw the game out comfortably.

Crewe: Booth, Cooney (Billington), Offord, Williams (Trialist C), Kempster-Down, Griffiths, Lunt (Trialist B), Holicek (Colkett), Woodcock, Evans, Trialist A.