Crewe 2-0 Barnsley

E-mail your reaction to Football Talk

Barnsley's relegation fears increased as Dean Ashton inspired Crewe to victory at Gresty Road.

The 18-year-old notched his ninth goal of the season to boost his side's survival hopes and condemn Steve Parkin's nine men to a seventh game without a win.

A number of chances were spurned by both sides before Ashton prodded the ball home just before the interval.

Barnsley's hopes of a fightback were dented when Chris Morgan was booked shortly after the break after being shown the yellow card twice in three minutes.

The home side's victory was confirmed when Kevin Street tapped in the rebound after Shaun Smith's penalty had been saved in the final minute.

Lee Crooks was dismissed after fouling Rob Hulse to concede the penalty.

The hosts had conceded 14 goals in their four home games prior to this clash and again looked rocky in the early stages with Barnsley's on-loan duo Richard Naylor and Kevin Betsy a constant threat.

Barnsley frustration

Betsy, on loan from Fulham, had the first chance in the opening minute but his header was comfortably saved by Crewe goalkeeper Clayton Ince.

Play immediately switched to the other end but Hulse fired wide from close range as both sides attacked from the first whistle.

Dario Gradi was forced into a change after just 16 minutes when the injured Wayne Collins was replaced by Colin Little.

Naylor, who joined the Tykes on loan from Ipswich on Monday, had his first sight of goal after 21 minutes when he volleyed the ball wide following a Mitch Ward corner.

Morgan was booked just after the break for a foul on Ashton and three minutes later he received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Ben Rix drilled a shot wide from the edge of the area as Crewe looked to extend their advantage before Gary Jones' ambitious volley for the Tykes was easily smothered by Ince after 64 minutes.

He curled another effort wide 12 minutes later.

Hulse came within a whisker of adding a second but his header following a Lunt free-kick was tipped over the top by Marriott and Little's shot from the resulting corner was blocked by Crooks.

Naylor was booked for a nasty challenge on Ince as his frustration boiled over in the closing stages before Crewe doubled their advantage in stoppage time when Street prodded home.

---

Crewe: Ince, Wright, Walton, Sodje, Smith, Lunt, Collins, Sorvel, Rix, Hulse, Ashton. Subs: Bankole, Little, Tait, Street, Walker.

Barnsley: Marriott, Mulligan, Crooks, Morgan, Barker, Betsy, Gary Jones, Lumsdon, Ward, Naylor, Sheron. Subs: Miller, Neil, Gorre, O'Callaghan, Dyer.

Referee: M Dean (Cheshire).