Port Vale 1-2 Crewe

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Rob Hulse scored twice to make it 15 for the season as Crewe maintained their impressive form with a win at Port Vale.

The opening goal came when Hulse took Kenny Lunt's pass in his stride and cracked home a low shot from 12 yards which struck the inside of the post on its way in.

Vale eventually started to apply some pressure and it brought its reward when Billy Paynter's excellent cross was met by Brett Angell, whose firm header left Clayton Ince with no chance.

Crewe boss Dario Gradi replaced Steve Jones with Dean Ashton and the substitute made a vital contribution within seconds.

Ashton headed Lunt's far-post corner back into the six-yard area, where Hulse buried a well-placed header inside Mark Goodlad's right-hand post.

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Port Vale: Goodlad, Carragher, Brightwell, Collins, Rowland, Bridge-Wilkinson, Brisco, Cummins, Ashcroft, Paynter, Angell. Subs: Delaney, McClare, Boyd, Armstrong, Burns.

Crewe: Ince, Sodje, Foster, Walker, Wright, Sorvel, Brammer, Lunt, Jack, Hulse, Jones. Subs: Bankole, Walton, Ashton, Rix, White.

Referee: E Evans (Manchester).