- Game of two halves at Cheadle Town
- First blank in six for Crewe
- Home side edge it to claim all three points
Crewe Alexandra Women's five-game unbeaten run comes to an end against league leaders Cheadle Town.
Imogen Porteous-Williams' early opener was enough to ensure the hosts left the fixture with all three points.
Crewe travelled to Stockport on the back of their FA Cup exploits, but their goal scoring form wasn't with them.
Ahead of the league fixture The Alex were sat in 7th spot and within touching distance of the top three.
Head Coach Matt Fisher was without Laura Garner and Gemma Brough for the trip, but he was able to welcome back Skipper Jess Sheridan to the starting XI.
Leah Collins started the game in an unfamiliar right-back role due to injuries and those unavailable.
Whilst Cheadle enjoyed plenty of the ball in the early stages it was Crewe who had the first shot on target when Amanda Fallon's effort from the edge of the area was tipped over the bar by Jess Linford.
However it was the hosts who took the lead in the 12th minute when a cross into the box wasn't dealt with and Imogen Porteous-Williams was on hand to volley home.
It wasn't a spectacle for those hoping for attacks from either side, but it was Town who went in with a one goal advantage.
Fisher's side came out with more freedom as they looked to get back on level terms.
Their backline was much higher and their press has the hosts penned in, but Cheadle's resolute defending kept the score at 1-0.
Emily Cole was causing havoc down the left-hand side and her weaving run resulted in a one versus one situation with Linford, but her chance went wide of the target.
Cheadle were still a threat on the counter, but Crewe remained in control despite not finding the back of the net.
Fisher replaced Sheridan in the 70th minute as he looked to roll the dice. Caitlin Bradbury came into the back four as the impressive Collins played higher up the pitch.
Crewe almost got the point their second half performance deserved when Katie Gibbons combined with Rubie Deaville in the middle of the park. She then received the ball back before spreading the play to Collins on the right. The wingers cross could only be converted wide by Fallon.
Matt Fisher was left disappointed by the Alex's first half showing, but felt his side more than deserved a point for their pressure in the second 45.
Matt Fisher said: "The girls didn't execute the game plan as we expected in the first half. We dealt with the out of possession plan well, but we don't feel we did ourselves justice in possession.
"We discussed how we felt we needed to deal with the transitions at half time and the players took it on board. This meant we could not only play much higher up the pitch but we could also get more players in the final third"
He continued with: "It's hard to be pleased when we've got nothing out of the game, but I know if we can play like that week-in-week-out we will be closer to where we want to be at the end of the season."