Leeds 0-2 Crewe

Crewe maintained their quest for a play-off place with an impressive win against Leeds at Elland Road.

Striker Dean Ashton opened the scoring against the run of play in the 16th minute, volleying in Kenny Lunt's corner for his 20th goal of the season.

Mark Rivers sealed Crewe's sixth win in eight games after the break when keeper Neil Sullivan failed to deal with a free-kick from Lunt.

Leeds had captain Paul Butler sent off late on for a second yellow card.

Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell:
"I have complained about our luck recently, but this wasn't a case of bad luck, it was about the strikers not having the guts to go in and get hurt. It was a lack of tenacity.

"We were naïve in defence and it cost us. Matthew Kilgallon tried to be too clever and conceded the corner from which Dean Ashton scored and the second came from a free-kick we had talked about in training.

"But you can only tell people four or five times. Several people didn't do their jobs and they have been told about it."

Crewe manager Dario Gradi:
"We don't have enough strength in depth to cope with any injuries we might pick up. We would need to control the game more than we do.

"It's a nice thought, and we would enjoy it for a season but we are just concentrating on the four games we need to be safe.

"But there is a pattern to our results. Every opposition manager thinks we are lucky but if so, it is a long run of luck."

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Leeds: Sullivan, Kelly (Ricketts 81), Butler, Kilgallon, Richardson, Lennon, Wright (Walton 71), Gregan, Pugh (Einarsson 62), Healy, Blake. Subs Not Used: Carson, Joachim.

Sent Off: Butler (83).

Booked: Gregan, Butler. Crewe: Ince, McCready (Bignot 62), Foster, Walker, Moses, Lunt, Sorvel, Bell, Vaughan, Ashton (Varney 76), Rivers (Cochrane 87). Subs Not Used: Williams, Steve Jones.

Booked: Moses.

Goals: Ashton 16, Rivers 54.

Att: 32,302.

Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).