Crewe notched their sixth successive home win to inflict Portsmouth's first
defeat under Graham Rix.
A 10th-minute goal from teenage striker Dean Ashton helped Dario Gradi's men
take another big stride towards Division One survival.
Crewe began brightly, and in the sixth minute Kenny Lunt brought a spectacular
save out of Pompey goalkeeper Aaron Flahavan.
Rodney Jack teed up Lunt, and the young midfielder's 25-yard pile-driver was
tipped over the bar by the visiting goalkeeper.
Kevin Street, Jack and Lunt then linked up down the left in the build-up to
Crewe's goal. From Lunt's low cross, 17-year-old Ashton swivelled to fire past
Flahavan from 14 yards.
Steve Lovell missed a golden opportunity to equalise in the 17th minute when
he could only volley Kevin Harper's deep cross straight at Crewe goalkeeper
Ademole Bankole after finding space at the back post.
Crewe came close to extending their lead from two corners in as many minutes.
First captain Steve Macauley headed across goal for central defensive partner
Dave Walton, whose header was tipped over by Flahavan.
Then Macauley himself was denied by a combination of goalkeeper and crossbar.
Portsmouth debutant Carl Tiler tested Bankole four minutes before half-time,
but his header from Gary Brady's free-kick was comfortably saved by the
Nigerian.
Harper also headed over as Pompey ended the first half strongly.
The visitors forced two free-kicks at the start of the second period - but
Brady and Mike Panopoulos were unable to trouble the Crewe goal from either.
In the 52nd minute Bankole was forced to make a full-length save from a more
accurate 30-yard effort by Panopoulos.
Lee Bradbury created a clear-cut chance for Lovell, but the young striker
lacked composure and blazed his shot wide.
Crewe almost gave themselves a two-goal cushion in the 65th minute when Ashton
shot over after.
Pompey squandered another golden chance 15 minutes from time when Neil Sorvel
was dispossessed by Bradbury, who fed Panopoulos - and his first-time shot was
beaten away by Bankole.
Crewe had to defend ever more desperately as Portsmouth spent the final few
minutes encamped in their half but without managing to force the equaliser.
Teams
Crewe: Bankole, Wright, Shaun Smith, Walton, Macauley, Sorvel,
Lunt, Street (Charnock 80), Rivers, Ashton (Tait 85), Jack.
Subs Not Used: Welsby, Foster, Little.
Booked: Macauley, Shaun Smith, Sorvel.
Goals: Ashton 11.
Portsmouth: Flahavan, Crowe, Hiley, Tiler,
Vincent (Nightingale 86), Sharpe, Brady (Wolleaston 75),
Panopoulos, Lovell, Bradbury, Harper.
Subs Not Used: Tardif, Waterman, Rudonja.
Booked: Vincent, Bradbury, Crowe.
Att: 6,182
Ref: A Hall (Birmingham).
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