Crewe...1 Cheltenham...0

RODNEY Jack sealed Crewe victory with a fantastic strike to sink Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night.

Making his first start of the season, the 29-year St Vincent star produced exactly what's expected from him as he latched onto a fine ball from Kenny Lunt, turned on the pace and blasted it past keeper Steve Book on 43 minutes.

It was one of those nights when three points was far more important than the performance in reality.

And although the Alex looked a division above in ability, they still failed to transform it into goals against a side that frankly appear destined for a struggle to beat the drop.

Nevertheless, things have got a whole lot better since that nightmare against Notts County.

In spells, they look excellent, then mediocre.

But when it does finally click, and it will, some team will get a hiding.

The way Crewe started, it looked like it could well be Cheltenham.

Rix almost had Hulse on his way after just two minutes and then a great piece of football caused havoc in the visitors' goalmouth with Ashton attempting two bicycle kicks and the ball eventually falling to Jack who whipped in a cross for Lunt to head onto the top netting.

Crewe had made a great start.

Brammer was next, playing the smart ball for Ashton to dink a fraction past the post on 16 minutes.

No breakthrough, go to sleep.

Number 9 Paul Brayson looked the biggest threat and went close to proving it.

His wicked long-range drive was well claimed by Ince before another good opportunity was wasted and finally he turned provider, to cross for Yates to head just wide on 25 minutes.

Cheltenham's brief rally was weathered and Lunt carved them open at the back, giving Ashton plenty of time to finish but the young forward curled his shot wide of target.

He badly needs a goal and so did Crewe at the time.

Then Rodney pops up, and it's 1-0 at the break.

Gradi identified Jack as the key to a successful season and from the way he started the second-half, a hat-trick looked on the cards.

Rix set him free for another go at the defence with Book doing well to deny his eventual shot on 50 minutes.

Lunt tried to do the same and Jack almost beat the offside trap before the goalscorer then followed up with a 40-yard run and fierce shot which Book pushed around the post on the hour.

Hulse was also active and went close to turning home a Lunt shot in an excellent Alex spell that ended as Deano blasted a chance well wide on 67 minutes.

Yet again Crewe failed to find the net when they really should have done

Cheltenham never did look like breaking the new central defensive partnership of Walker and Foster but it was tense because you could never rule out that potential mistake.

You would have taken 4 points before Huddersfield so mission accomplished and up into 11th place in Div Two ahead of a winnable trip to Mansfield, on Saturday.

Crewe: Ince, Wright, Vaughan, Walker, Foster, Brammer, Lunt, Rix (Bell 65), Jack, Hulse (Jones 83), Ashton (Miles 88).

Subs not used - Bankole, Sodje. Attendance - 5,488.