STRIKER Jez Tagg made the difference for Crewe as they made it four wins on the trot on Saturday.
The teenager impressed when given his chance during a friendly with Leek Town in midweek, and earned a place on the bench at the Cumberland Arena.
Ian O'Reilly's side were looking short of ideas until his introduction in the second half. The speedy front-man teed-up Dave Hanson for the opener, before rounding the keeper and bagging the second himself.
The win made it four straight wins and five unbeaten for Crewe, who have been propelled into joint-second in Division Two by their recent form. O'Reilly said: 'Taggy changed the game for us. We play 4-5-1, which suits us, but sometimes we find it hard to score.
'I threw him on to make the extra man up front, and it paid off. He's quick and decent in the air. he looked the part at Leek and deserved a go. He is keen and ready to fight for his place, so I think he will be a good addition for us.'
He added: 'We need to bring in new faces. We are a bit short after losing players, and I have signed defender Malc Bostock to give us more options at the back.
'Me and my assistant Gary Woods are out every Sunday looking for targets, and we have a few in mind. Competition for places can only be a good thing and we want to increase that.'
Veteran campaigner Steve Harding proved he still has what it takes between the sticks when he made a couple of excellent first-half saves.
The match had gone a little stale with neither team threatening in the second half, until the arrival of Tagg. His cross was gratefully banged home by Hanson, and he finished off a good passing move by grounding the keeper with skill and rolling into an empty net, making the game safe.
Goals from Darren Vickers and Carl Palin (2) were the consolation in a 6-3 defeat at Leek a few days earlier. Crewe entertain Monk FC at the Cumberland on Saturday (2.15pm).
