- Railwaymen make it three on spin
- Nevitt and Baker-Richardson on mark
- Alex build a cushion in Play-Offs
Courtney Baker-Richardson and Elliott Nevitt were on target as Crewe Alexandra extended their perfect start to 2024.
Both strikers notched their 10th goals of the season to secure a 2-1 victory at the expense of Swindon Town.
Charlie Austin had levelled matters after Nevitt’s sublime first-half opener, but Baker-Richardson’s ingenious backheel proved the difference.
Crewe stay fifth in League Two but now have a six-point cushion in the Play-Off places.
Lee Bell made one change to the side that won at Mansfield, with Nevitt adding fresh legs up front and Baker-Richardson dropping to the bench alongside new signing Lewis Leigh.
Swindon, who were without injured former Alex man Tariq Uwakwe, handed debuts to three January additions, including keeper Jack Bycroft.
Joe White, playing the last game of his loan spell at Crewe, cut inside but fired wide as the hosts made a confident start.
And The Railwaymen hit the front on 13 minutes when Aaron Rowe’s low cross found Nevitt in the box and he sent a searing strike rising into the top corner.
Christopher Long had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside, and Rowe struck one wide from 25 yards, as the Alex looked for another.
But, on the half-hour mark, it was all square. Tyrese Shade’s cross from the right found Austin in the box and he drilled home on the turn.
That lifted Swindon and the remainder of the first half was more even, with little for either keeper to do.
Long and Nevitt saw efforts held by Bycroft as Crewe started the second half on top, but there was a spell of frustration as the Robins held firm.
But the hosts found a way through on 71 minutes when Lewis Billington found Conor Thomas and when he squared the ball, Baker-Richardson was there to cleverly backheel home.
Swindon prompted and probed in search of a second leveller but never looked likely. Sub Jake Cain had a shot saved by Booth, and Williams Kokolo went closest when the keeper blocked his angled effort.
The tiring Railwaymen saw the game out professionally to make it three wins on the spin.
Crewe (4-2-3-1): Booth; Billington, O’Riordan, Demetriou, Adebisi; Thomas, Offord; White (Baker-Richardson, 68), Rowe (Leigh, 83), Long (Tracey, 68); Nevitt.
Subs not used: Davies, Colkett, Cooney, Kempster-Down.
Booked: Thomas, Rowe, Nevitt.
Swindon (3-4-3): Bycroft; Godwin-Malife, Brewitt (Blake-Tracy, 46), Minturn; Shade, Khan (McEachran, 75), Kinsella, Kokolo; Glatzel (Cain, 67), Austin, Devoy (Hepburn-Murphy, 68).
Subs not used: Ward, Dworzak, Keyes.
Booked: Kinsella, Minturn, Austin
Referee: L Doughty.
Attendance: 4,947 (371).