- Seven-match unbeaten run comes to an end
- Alex fail to score for first time in three
- The Railwaymen stay 17th in the standings
Crewe Alexandra’s seven-match unbeaten run came to an end when they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Stevenage.
Sub Jamie Reid, who got both goals in Boro’s victory at Mornflake Stadium earlier this season, struck on 79 minutes to seal the three points.
Crewe put up a strong battle but struggled to work home keeper Jon McCracken, as the hosts moved up to second in the table.
Now The Railwaymen will look to start another positive run when they visit Northampton Town on Saturday (3pm).
Lee Bell named a side unchanged from the one that beat Salford in dramatic fashion on Friday night.
Neither keeper had much to do in a goalless first half. James Beadle bravely punched two early crosses away, but was otherwise well-protected despite Stevenage enjoying the vast majority of territory.
Crewe had very little play in the home side’s half. Rio Adebisi headed over from a free-kick in the best half-chance of the first 45.
The Alex had to survive some early pressure from the hosts in the opening stages of the second half, as Dan Sweeney headed just off target.
A swift Crewe break saw a Dan Agyei effort blocked by the recovering Jake Taylor, but Beadle had to make a good stop at his near post to deny Luke Norris when Stevenage counter-attacked quickly.
On 66 minutes Beadle athletically tipped a Josh March strike over the bar, as the hosts moved into double figures with their corner-count.
On 79 minutes, with Tariq Uwakwe lying injured on the floor, sub Reid drilled the opener from outside the area.
Sub Michael Bostwick hit the bar from the close range, and Beadle made a point-blank save as Stevenage tried to force in the rebound, in the closing stages.
Sweeney headed into Beadle’s arms from yet another corner in the six minutes of stoppage time, but the hosts saw it out for a narrow win.
Stevenage (4-4-2): McCracken; Smith (James-Wildin, 83), Clark; Piergianni, Sweeney; Wright (Forster-Caskey, 58), Reeves, Gilbey, Roberts (Bostwick, 81); Norris (Rose, 75), March (Reid, 76).
Subs not used: Przybek, Tomkinson.
Booked: Reeves, Rose.
Crewe (4-2-3-1): Beadle; Mellor, O’Riordan, Offord; Adebisi, Uwakwe (Brook, 81), Finnigan (Thomas, 24); Tabiner (Colkett, 80), Ainley (Amoo, 69), Agyei; Nevitt (Baker-Richardson, 80).
Subs not used: Richards, Robertson.
Booked: None.
Referee: A Young.
Attendance: 2,670 (132)