SKY BET LEAGUE TWO

CREWE ALEXANDRA 3

Bowery 44, Kirk 59, Bowery 61

FOREST GREEN ROVERS 1

Grubb 64

FOREST GREEN capitulated to a third defeat on the spin against relegation rivals Crewe.

This crushing defeat has left Rovers looking over their shoulders as the race for League Two survival enters the final furlong. 

With eight games to play, Rovers remain six points clear of second from bottom Chesterfield, who now have two games in hand on Mark Cooper's side.

On a difficult night at Gresty Road, Rovers were caught cold just before the break when Jordan Bowery struck.

Crewe turned up the heat in the second-half, bagging two goals in as many minutes  through Charlie Kirk and a second for Bowery.

Dayle Grubb pulled a goal back for Rovers but it was scant reward for a Rovers side who face play-off chasing Mansfield Town on Saturday.

Earlier, back-to-back defeats to promotion-chasing Notts County and Accrington Stanley, saw boss Cooper make four changes.

Chelsea loanee keeper Brad Collins moved to the bench with Cameron Belford coming in for his first game since his January move from Scottish outfit Stranraer.

Defender Haydn Hollis and striker Tahvon Campbell dropped to the bench following the defeat at Accrington. Meanwhile, Dan Wishart was missing after picking up a knock.

Six points clear of the bottom two, Cooper recalled Scott Laird, Grubb and a fit again Dale Bennett.

Worryingly, top scorer Christian Doidge (ankle) missed his third game on the spin.

Crewe started on the front foot - Tommy Lowery hitting the post with a left- footed fizzer from outside the box.

Like a game of basketball, the play switched to the other end, Laird working an opening and skewing wide.

Chances remained scant, but Charlie Cooper tried to buck the trend when spanking a volley over.

Rovers' habitual liking for pressing the self-destruct button surfaced  on the cusp of half-time. Keeper Belford came for  Harry Pickering's free-kick, but Bowery beat the former Swindon Town man to the ball and planted his header into the inviting net.

Chastened by the goal, Cooper replaced midfielders Chris Clements and Cooper at the break with the attack-minded Alex Bray and Campbell. entered the fray.

Rovers were looking for a bright start, but Belford spared the blushes with an early save from Crewe's Harry McKirdy.

Cooper's side were down and out as Crewe struck two killer blows in as many minutes.  Kirk beat Belford comfortably from the edge of the box on 59 minutes and Bowery bagged his second of the night from a Callum Ainley assist with 61 minutes gone. 

Rovers were on the ropes but Grubb offered some hope as he struck three minutes after Bowery's strike, scoring his third goal since his January move from Weston and his 20th of the season.

Crewe remained resolute as Rovers struggled to find their feet. Bray clipped the bar with five minutes left on the clock.

Crewe Alexandra: Garratt, Ng, Ray, Nolan, Kirk (Barlaser 90), Ainley, Pickering, Green, Lowery, McKirdy ( Dagnall 77), Bowery

Subs not used: Raynes Jones, Richards Finney Reilly

Forest Green: Belford; Bennett, Gunning, Rawson (Brown ), L Collins ,Laird; Cooper (Bray 45), Osbourne, Clements (Campbell 45), Grubb; Reid

Subs not used: B Collins, Simpson, Hollis

Attendance: 3,274

FGR fans: 116

Referee: Anthony Backhouse

Next up: Rovers welcome  David Flitcroft’s Mansfield Town to the New Lawn on Saturday, 3pm.