A second-half strike from Calum Agius was enough for Crewe to claim a 1-0 win over Colchester in a tight contest at the Mornflake Stadium.
There was plenty of endeavour from both sides in the first half, although little in the way of goalmouth action.
Colchester’s on-loan debutant Fin Back’s close-range header failed to trouble Crewe goalkeeper Ian Lawlor as it rebounded off the back of Kyreece Lisbie.
Will Goodwin did get a clear sight of goal, but skied over a loose ball from a corner.
The visitors looked more threatening on the break, particularly when Owura Edwards was bursting forward down the left flank.
In fact, Crewe had failed to conjure up a single effort on goal, until boss Lee Bell’s second-half changes produced a dividend in the 68th-minute when substitute Adrien Thibaut cantered clear down the right and pulled the ball back for Agius who opened up his body and drilled a low finish into the bottom corner.
Thibaut followed up his good work with a fierce strike that Colchester keeper Matt Macey did well to repel.
Colchester had late penalty appeals turned away when Jack Payne toppled in the box. Edwards lashed one over and Lawlor did well to fend away a low drive from Jack Tucker which was heading for the bottom corner, but Crewe held on for their third win in their last six games.
