Crewe 2 Walsall 0 - match report

Luke Murphy fired the hosts in front from the spot against the run of play after visiting keeper Sam Johnstone was adjudged to have fouled Byron Moore.

Substitute Chuks Aneke then sealed the deal with a second four minutes from time, the defeat bringing an end to the Saddlers' 15 game unbeaten run.

Boss Dean Smith made two changes from the side which drew 1-1 with Bury, as Nicky Featherstone and Mal Benning coming in for Sam Mantom and Ben Purkiss, with the latter pair dropping to the bench.

Featherstone was involved in the early action at both ends, first shooting straight at Garratt in the home goal after a Will Grigg cross had been cleared, before turning defender and blocking A-Jay Leitch-Smith's strike after the Crewe man had weaved his way into the box.

Byron Moore was the next man to go close for the hosts, shooting wide after being beautifully teed-up after Max Clayton had flicked on Kelvin Mellor's cross. Mellor then created Sam Johnstone's first work of the afternoon when he headed straight at the Saddlers' keeper from a free-kick.

Gradually the visitors began to have more joy going forward. Grigg had a shot blocked by Harry Davis after the ball had broke to him on the edge of the box, before Jamie Paterson curled a delightful effort just wide of the far post.

Brandy then should have done better with an effort from eight yards out which was comfortably gathered by Garratt following Grigg's pull back. The Crewe keeper was also forced into action by a curling effort from James Baxendale.

But Crewe always carried a threat and Clayton scooped an effort over the bar as the first hald ended with the deadlock still very much intact.

It was nearly broken within seconds of the restart as Brandy surged forward right from kick-off and sent a shot about a yard wide of the near post from 20 yards out.

After Matt Tootle had cleared the stand with an effort for the hosts, Brandy went even closer to opening the scoring with a shot which struck the far post after a great run from Grigg.

Baxendale then brought a smart save out of Garratt with a fierce angled drive and Featherstone saw a shot deflected wide as the Saddlers began to build momentum.

Dean Holden should perhaps have done better with a shot from close range after a short corner routine sparked pandemonium in the hosts penalty area. Paterson then came within inches of setting the newly-introduced Craig Westcarr clear with a clever through ball.

Crewe substitute Chuks Aneke saw his run stopped by a perfectly timed James Chambers tackle as the hosts looked to rediscover some attacking form.

The game's big talking point then arrived 12 minutes from time. Moore beat Johnstone to a long ball and though the contact between the pair seemed minimal, referee Berry pointed to the spot after a flag from his lineman. Murphy stepped up to fire the penalty just past Johnstone, who appeared to get a touch after guessing the right way.

There was no way back for the Saddlers and Aneke sealed the win for Crewe four minutes from time when he curled a shot into the top corner from just inside the box.