Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: The Alexandra Stadium
Attendance: 6786
Referee: Russell, M

Live Commentary

90 mins

The ref has blown his whistle for full time.

84 mins

Goal!! Steve Jones scores for Crewe.

80 mins

Billy Jones is replaced by Michael O'Connor.

77 mins

Matthew Wolfenden is replaced by Craig Davies.

70 mins

The referee has booked Gary Roberts.

69 mins

Goal!! Gary McDonald scores for Oldham.

67 mins

The referee has booked Sean Gregan.

64 mins

Reuben Hazell is replaced by Stefan Stam.

60 mins

Oldham are replacing Mark Crossley with Richard O'Donnell.

59 mins

Goal!! Neal Eardley scores for Oldham.

58 mins

Dean Morgan is being taken off, Tom Pope has come on in his place.

46 mins

The second half is under way with the score currently at 0 v 2.

45 mins

Half time whistle is blown by M Russell

32 mins

Goal!! Oldham have scored with Neal Eardley putting it in the back of the net.

5 mins

Goal!! Deane Smalley scores for Oldham.

0 mins

The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.

Match Report

Crewe survived relegation from League One despite an embarrassing 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Oldham.

But the Railwaymen were left sweating in the closing stages after Cheltenham grabbed a late goal against Doncaster.

Fortunately for Steve Holland's side, Bournemouth were unable to replicate that at Carlisle.

When news of the Cherries' 1-1 draw at Brunton Park filtered through, there was widespread relief around Gresty Road after a dreadful afternoon.

It meant that Crewe's result was academic and Bournemouth were relegated in the fourth bottom spot despite their late surge.

Crewe failed to get the point they needed when they went down to Bournemouth a week ago and they never looked like securing safety by their own hand after they fell behind as early as the fifth minute.

A dreadful piece of slack play at the back saw Kenny Lunt gift Deane Smalley a one-on-one with Ben Williams and the youngster fired through the keeper's legs.

Neal Eardley added a second against the nervous home defence when he took Smalley's pass and crashed an angled drive home.

The Wales international midfielder notched his second of the game in even more stunning fashion just before the hour mark.

When his 25-yard right-footer found the top corner, Crewe were effectively out of contention.

Gary McDonald tucked the fourth past the helpless Williams and there were still more than 20 minutes left to play.

The Crewe faithful were left to rely on results going elsewhere, although Steve Jones did manage to grab a late consolation when he fired under substitute keeper Richard O'Donnell.

Crewe coach Steve Holland said: "It was very important that we stayed up but it was a desperately disappointing finish which only highlighted the job that needs to be done to make things better.

"It just needed a point but we ended up losing 4-1. We've played Oldham three times this year and they've beaten us three times.

"They've only finished in mid-table but they've been much better than us all round the pitch."

Crewe Alexandra Team

Oldham Athletic Team

Crewe Alexandra

Oldham Athletic

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides

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