Shilow Tracey netted an impressive double as Crewe beat Gillingham 2-0.
The striker scored in either half as the Railwaymen bounced back from defeat at Newport, making it five wins from their last six games as they moved up to eighth.
Meanwhile, a second consecutive defeat for the Gills put a dent in their strong start to the campaign as they dropped to second place.
Former Crewe striker Elliott Nevitt glanced an early header wide but Mark Bonner’s side failed to pose any real threat for most of the afternoon.
They were undone by some inspired play by Tracey as Crewe edged ahead in the 17th minute.
Tracey broke clear to feed Jack Lankester, who slipped past Shadrach Ogie and squared for his strike partner to apply a simple side-footed finish.
Tracey doubled Crewe’s lead on the hour mark, producing a fine low drive off the far post after being released by substitute Adrien Thibaut.
Gills goalkeeper Glenn Morris turned away Joel Tabiner’s free-kick and kept out Thibaut’s close-range effort after Tracey pulled the ball back across the six-yard box.
The Gills pressed in the closing stages when Nevitt blasted a long-range effort wide and Jayden Clarke pulled a shot past the post.
