Crewe Alexandra fought back from behind to topple League Two leaders MK Dons 3-1 at Mornflake Stadium.

 

The Railwaymen trailed 1-0 at the break after Jonathan Leko struck for the visitors.

 

But Conor Thomas, Courtney Baker-Richardson and Christopher Long were on target in a superb second-half display to record Crewe's second win of the season.

 

The success made it 11 home games unbeaten for the Alex, and lifted them to 11th in the standings.

 

Lee Bell, who marked his 40th match as boss, made three changes to the side that started at Port Vale in midweek.

 

Long, Mickey Demetriou and Courtney Baker-Richardson were all recalled to the side, while loan men Aaron Rowe and Joe White were amongst the subs.

 

MK Dons bossed the opening exchanges and opened the scoring on eight minutes when Leko took advantage of space in the box and turned home via a deflection.

 

The Alex stayed on the back foot but a tactical change - which saw them switch to four at the back - changed the momentum midway through the half.

 

On 30th minutes a lofted ball from Demetriou was flicked inches over the bar by Long, and not long after Rio Adebisi's superb cross was just a fraction too far in front of Long to convert.

 

The physical nature of the game showed no signs of letting up. On 40 minutes Adebisi delivered another promising pass but Joel Tabiner was unable to get on the end of it.

 

Shilow Tracey replaced Ryan Cooney at the break and his influence was key after the restart.

 

His work almost forged an equaliser just before the hour mark when he cut a ball back to Baker-Richardson, who forced a save from the keeper. The ball ran loose for Demetriou but he couldn't find the empty net from an angle.

 

But the winger was not to be denied and he teed up Thomas for the leveller on 62 minutes. His clever pass was dispatched

with aplomb by the onrushing midfielder.

 

Crewe were relentless and it was 2-1 shortly afterwards when Tabiner's low-effort forced the keeper to parry and Baker-Richardson smashed it home.

 

Keeper Harvey Davies made an important save from Leko as the visitors tried to recover, while a powerful effort from Long tested the Dons keeper at the other end.

 

The pointed were secured on 90 minutes when sub Lowe, who impressed along with White, unselfishly squared to Long who rattled the third home in clinical style.

 

Crewe (3-5-2):  Davies; Cooney (Tracey, 46), Adebisi (Williams, 80), O'Riordan, Demetriou, Offord; Powell, Tabiner, Thomas (White 63); Long, Baker-Richardson (Rowe, 75).

 

Subs not used: Booth, Holiceck, Finney.

 

Booked: Davies, Rowe, O'Riordan, Thomas.

 

MK Dons (3-5-2): MacGilivray; Tucker, O'Hara, Smith (Tomlinson, 63); Norman, Gilbey, Robson, Harvie, Hunter (Dean 37), Devoy (Payne, 79).

 

Subs not used: Harness, Lewington, Eisa, Ilunga.

 

Booked: Gilbey.

 

Referee: Chris Pollard.

 

Attendance: 3,977 (505).