- Railwaymen stun the league leaders
- Demetriou, Turns and Austerfield on target
- Bell’s men now five unbeaten on the road
Crewe Alexandra stunned league leaders Stockport County to take a huge three points at Edgeley Park.
Mickey Demetriou fired his eighth goal of the season, after being teed up by Ed Turns, to give The Railwaymen an early lead.
And although Isaac Olaofe levelled on 35 minutes, Demetriou turned provider to set up Turns’ first goal for the Club before the break.
Josh Austerfield’s lashed home his first career goal soon after the restart, and the Alex went onto deservedly complete the victory.
Lee Bell’s men are now five unbeaten away from home, thanks to a performance brimming with endeavour, tenacity and quality.
Crewe stay third in League Two as a result, four points behind frontrunners County.
Now they will rest up and prepare to entertain Harrogate Town at Mornflake Stadium this weekend (Saturday, 3pm).
Bell made three changes to the side that beat Crawley, with Conor Thomas (calves) missing out and Ryan Cooney and Shilow Tracey dropping to the bench.
Austerfield, Lewis Billington and Courtney Baker-Richardson came in, as the Alex operated in a 3-5-2 formation.
Stockport, who started with 2012 Wembley hero Nick Powell as well as fellow ex-Crewe man Antoni Sarcevic, recalled the experienced Paddy Madden to lead their line.
Crewe got on the front foot from the off and drew first blood on eight minutes when Demetriou, who had challenged for the first contact from an Aaron Rowe free kick, reacted quickest when Turns steered the ball his way and found the bottom corner.
Austerfield cracked a shot into the side netting as the visitors looked for another while, at the other end, the hard running of Olaofe was proving difficult to hold.
Stockport drew level on 36 minutes when Powell unpicked the defence with a reverse pass and Sarcevic squared for Olaofe to tap home from close range.
But The Railwaymen responded superbly when Demetriou crossed into the box and Turns got there first to flick a header home.
County boss Dave Challinor signalled his dissatisfaction by making a triple change at the break, and it was clear he wanted to attack.
But his plans were upset on 51 minutes when the hosts could only half-clear Rio Adebisi’s corner and Austerfield sent it skidding into the net with venom from outside the area.
On 67 minutes Callum Camps took aim from 25 yards but keeper Harvey Davies held the powerful shot.
Odin Bailey fired wide from range after Stockport took a quick free-kick, and Madden had an effort deflected over for a corner.
Olaofe headed over the bar in the home side’s final chance but they never looked likely to mount a comeback, and the stadium had almost emptied by then.
That was, however, apart from the 900-plus Alex fans who had sung their hearts out all night and stayed behind after the final whistle to enjoy the victory with players and staff.
Stockport (4-3-3): Hinchcliffe; Touray, Horsfall, Cass, Bristow (Bailey, 46), Lemonheigh Evans (Byrne, 46), Croasdale (Camps, 46), Powell (Hippolyte, 62); Sarcevic, (Wootton, 56) Madden, Olaofe.
Subs not used: Smith, Bennett.
Booked: None.
Crewe (3-5-2): Davies; Billington, Turns, Demetriou; Rowe (Cooney, 90), Offord, Austerfield, Holicek (Tracey, 63), Adebisi; Baker-Richardson, Nevitt (Kirk, 81).
Subs not used: Westwood, Leigh, Agius.
Booked: Baker-Richardson.
Referee: Neil Hair.
Attendance: 9,363 (906).