³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

Courtney Baker-Richardson's backheeled finish secured Crewe a hard-fought 2-1 win over Swindon.

It was Crewe's third consecutive win, but the Robins' sixth defeat in their past eight outings as the visitors succumbed despite skipper Charlie Austin cancelling out Elliott Nevitt's opener for Crewe in the first half.

The out-of-form visitors were under pressure early on and Joe White, in the last game of his current loan spell from Newcastle, curled a deflected effort past the far post.

Crewe were soon ahead in spectacular fashion, with Nevitt connecting first time with a cross from Aaron Rowe to thrash an effort into the top corner in the 13th minute.

Rowe went close himself when he pulled a low shot past the post, but the Robins were level on the half-hour mark when Crewe failed to clear their lines after Tyrese Shade drove the ball across the hone box and veteran striker Austin was on hand to turn and fire the loose ball home.

Crewe's Chris Long went close after the restart with a thundering drive from 25 yards just clearing the bar and substitute Baker-Richardson restored the hosts' lead with a clever finish in the 71st minute.

After the ball was worked across the box, Conor Thomas' effort was blocked before the ball fell for Baker-Richardson to backheel it into the net.

Home keeper Tom Booth preserved the lead with a good blocking save which thwarted Swindon substitute Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, who bounded clear inside the the box.

Report supplied by PA Media.