CREWE produced their best performance of the season to defeat one of the Mid-Cheshire League Division One's top sides on their own patch on Saturday.
Linotype went into the game in second spot and with outside hopes of the title, but Crewe soon had them on the back foot.
Nick Massey, Lee Westwood and Dave Hanson all hit the woodwork in the opening 25 minutes.
Manager Ian O'Reilly said: 'When that happened, I was starting to think it wouldn't be our day, especially as Hanson also missed two one-on-ones.
'But we played as well as we have all season in that first half and our goalkeeper Steve Harding was hardly tested throughout the game.'
The match seemed to be heading for a goalless draw when Crewe grabbed the all-important goal two minutes from time.
John Beresford's cross looked like being gathered by the Linotype keeper, but he fumbled the ball and Steve Parker was on hand to drive in the loose ball.
'We all went wild!,' said O'Reilly. 'We would have taken a point beforehand so to get all three was fantastic.'
Crewe are now unbeaten in their last five matches and have all but erased any fears about being dragged into a relegation tussle.
Next week, their defence of the Crewe FA Cup will be given a thorough examination when they visit Crewe and District league leaders Alsager Faculty in the semi-final.
'We will try and give some of the younger lads a game this weekend, especially as the Reserves have no game.
'They also got a good result on Saturday when they held Linotype Reserves to a 0-0 draw, and the managers Martin and Paul were both pleased with the way the team played.'
