A cruel own-goal from Crewe goalkeeper Ben Williams earned Cardiff the spoils
as Lennie Lawrence's men returned to winning ways at Gresty Road.
Williams had been in inspired form between the sticks, repelling everything
thrown at him by the visitors.
But he was helpless to prevent Gary Croft's 70th-minute shot cannon off the
woodwork and rebound off him into the back of the net.
With the swirling wind making things difficult neither side was able to find
any cohesion to their play in the opening exchanges.
Cardiff created the first chance on goal when Wales international Robbie
Earnshaw attempted an overhead kick inside the area, but his shot flew over the
crossbar.
However, the visitors were beginning to adapt better to the conditions than
their opponents and pinned Crewe inside their own half with a series of corners
and free-kicks that Williams had to be alert to deal with.
At the other end Bluebirds shot-stopper Martyn Margetson had been a virtual
spectator, but he was soon forced into two fantastic blocks in the space of two
minutes to keep the scores level as Crewe hit them on the counter-attack.
Firstly Dean Ashton struck a left-foot drive from just inside the box that
Margetson did well to parry away.
Then Chris McCready climbed to meet an inswinging David Vaughan corner, but
his close-range header was powered straight at Margetson who tipped the ball
over.
Cardiff continued to boss the game though, as they dominated possession of the
ball, and Tony Vidmar and Richard Langley were both denied by the athleticism of
Williams who pulled off a fine double-save.
And the Alex keeper was again on hand to deny Lennie Lawrence's men - saving
with his feet to block a low Earnshaw shot as both sides went into the break
all-square.
The visitors raced out of the blocks at the start of the second period,
determined to make their dominance count and hit Crewe with a swift killer
blow.
Alan Lee and Langley both attempted speculative shots on goal but Williams was
not to be beaten as Crewe's own confidence began to grow.
But just when it looked as though the home side were beginning to take a
strangle-hold they were hit by a cruel piece of mis-fortune that gifted Cardiff
the lead.
Croft's 25-yard bullet came back off the woodwork and struck the stranded
Williams who inadvertently directed the ball back into his own net.
Crewe rang the changes in a desperate search for an equaliser, as strikers
Paul Edwards and Gavin Gordon came on with minutes remaining, but the Bluebirds
remained stoic in defence and held on to claim the spoils.
Teams
Crewe: Williams, Billy Jones, Foster, McCready (Moses 85),
Tonkin (Edwards 88), Lunt, Sorvel, Cochrane (Hignett 77),
Vaughan, Steve Jones, Ashton.
Subs Not Used: Tomlinson, Higdon.
Cardiff: Margetson, Vidmar, Collins, Gabbidon, Croft, Langley,
Whalley, Bullock (Barker 80), Robinson, Lee (Gordon 90),
Earnshaw.
Subs Not Used: Campbell, Bowen, Alexander.
Goals: Williams 70 og.
Att: 6,650
Ref: R Olivier (W Midlands).
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