Crewe’s play-off hopes suffer blow after defeat to Cheltenham

Crewe’s hopes of securing a play-off spot were hit when two late goals from Jordan Thomas and Liam Dulson earned Cheltenham a 3-2 win at Gresty Road.

George Miller registered his first goal in 10 games to hand the Robins a 22nd-minute lead. Ryan Haynes squandered the chance to double the visitors’ lead 10 minutes later when he blasted his penalty against the bar and Crewe were level just before the break when Kane Hemmings made sure with the game’s second penalty award.

But Lee Bell’s side were unimpressive at the back as Cheltenham ended a run of four consecutive defeats with Thomas and Dulson scoring late on before Alex substitute Calum Agius grabbed a consolation with almost the last kick of the game.

Miller’s header inside the six-yard box flew into the net off the turf for the opener which was made possible by some excellent work by Arkell Jude-Boyd who tore past his marker to deliver a telling cross over the goalmouth.

Crewe were in more trouble when referee Declan Bourne adjudged Lewis Billington to have handled a high cross into the area, but Haynes thumped his penalty kick against the bar.

A trip by Tommy Backwell on Hemmings saw Crewe level with the veteran striker blasting the spot kick down the middle past Joe Day (45).

Poor defending saw Crewe fall behind again in the 78th minute when substitute Valintino Adedokun drove the ball back across the box and Thomas squeezed a far-post finish from a tight angle.

Substitute Dulson cut infield and drove home a super finish off the far post from 25 yards out to kill the game in the 86th minute before youngster Agius hit an angled drive home just before the whistle.